Pocock questions long-term economic return from data centre construction
David Pocock, speaking to ABC Afternoon Briefing, said he has not received adequate answers about the long-term economic benefits of data centre construction for Australians.
He noted that data centre projects are drawing construction workers away from residential house-building, but said no one can properly explain what Australia gains once the facilities are operational.
Pocock was speaking to ABC Afternoon Briefing about the Senate committee's recent hearings on data centre development and community concerns around social licence and infrastructure impacts.
One of the side effects is that we're taking tradies away from building houses, but once they're built, what's the long-term return for Australians? And I still haven't had a good answer on that. No one can really tell me how we actually get a long
David Pocock, Independent Senator