Blind to community': independent flags data centre tax

Key points

• Independent ACT senator David Pocock has proposed a five per cent tax on the local revenue of artificial intelligence data centres, starting January 1, 2027. He made the proposal in a National Press Club address in Canberra, arguing that large companies pay little or no company tax.
• The Parliamentary Budget Office estimates the policy could raise about $400 million within three years, though it said the figures are highly uncertain.
• The Australian Academy of Science welcomed the proposal, which Pocock said would support homegrown technology firms.