Australia 'sleepwalking' into AI crisis and 'tech bro free-for-all', says Greens senator

Greens senator Sarah Hanson-Young says Australia can't allow tech firms to'drain our power and water'. Greens senator Sarah Hanson-Young says Australia can't allow tech firms to'drain our power and water'. Australia'sleepwalking' into AI crisis and'tech bro free-for-all', says Greens senator Sarah Hanson Young's warning comes as David Pocock urges government to prevent firms using Australian content to train AI models Tue 23 Jun 2026 06.21 EDTFirst published on Tue 23 Jun 2026 05.16 EDT His call came as the Greens senator Sarah Hanson-Young called for a moratorium on the building and approval of new datacentres in Australia until "we get the regulations right". She said the nation was "sleepwalking" into an AI crisis and could hand tech companies a greenlight "to drain our power and water". Pocock used Senate question time on Tuesday to ask the government about intense lobbying from AI proprietors over possible new rules and regulations for Australian-made content - including suggestions Labor would create a new "carve out" or extend existing licensing arrangements.