Submission to the Senate Environment and Communications References Committee inquiry into Artificial Intelligence and Data Centres

On 13 May 2026, the Senate referred an inquiry into artificial intelligence and data centres to the Environment and Communications References Committee. This submission outlines:

the environmental impacts associated with rapid development of data centres and AI infrastructure in Australia,
our recommendations for a national regulatory framework, and
impacts of rapid data centre development on First Nations and the risk to human rights generally

260901-EDO-Submission-to-the-Senate-inquiry-into-artificial-intelligence-and-data-centres.pdf Download

Join the legal battle to protect our unique and precious environment

With support from people like you, we can run more groundbreaking cases and deliver expert legal advice to people all over the Australia-Pacific region.

Authorised by Joanna Shulman, Environmental Defenders Office Ltd, Suite 8.02 Level 8, 6 O’Connell St, Sydney NSW 2000 • ABN: 72 002 880 864

Postal Address:
PO Box R1105 Royal Exchange NSW 1225

Privacy Policy

EDO recognises the traditional owners and custodians of the land, seas and rivers of Australia. We pay our respects to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander elders past and present, and aspire to learn from traditional knowledge and customs so that, together, we can protect our environment and cultural heritage through law.