Key facts
- ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr is promoting Canberra as a prime location for water-efficient AI data centers.
- Canberra's data centers utilize pioneering closed-loop water systems and are powered by 100% renewable electricity.
- The ACT has already attracted significant investment in data centers due to these factors and political stability.
- Barr views Canberra's future success as dependent on attracting and retaining talent, positioning it as Australia's knowledge capital.
- He discussed the functioning of National Cabinet, noting a shift from crisis-driven decision-making to a more deliberate process.
ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr is positioning Canberra as a leading location for water-efficient AI data centers, leveraging the city's cool climate, 100% renewable energy supply, and political stability. Barr, Australia's longest-serving state or territory leader and a founding member of National Cabinet, detailed these advantages in an interview, highlighting the potential for sovereign capability and exportable technology.
Canberra's data centers primarily serve the needs of the university sector, CSIRO, and the Australian government, with pioneering water-efficient technologies like closed-loop liquid cooling systems. Barr emphasized that new data centers must be accompanied by renewable energy supply contracts, preventing the use of diesel generators and potentially feeding excess energy into the Big Canberra Battery. This strategy has already attracted billions in investment.
Beyond data centers, Barr discussed plans for East Canberra to become a major logistics hub, benefiting from integrated airport, freight, road, and rail infrastructure. He stressed that Canberra's future success hinges on attracting and retaining talent, positioning the city as Australia's knowledge capital.
Reflecting on National Cabinet, Barr described it as a more hands-on forum than its predecessor, COAG, though decision-making has become more deliberate as officials regain control. He anticipates discussions on the GST revenue deal, noting its narrow base and failure to keep pace with state costs, suggesting that growing the tax pie is a better approach than increasing the rate.
As the longest-serving member of National Cabinet, Barr noted a hierarchy based on jurisdiction size and tenure, which grants him a greater voice. He described the current Prime Minister as collegiate but firm in his views, shaping the direction of meetings.