Issues · Climate and environment

Rules for data centres

Votes on whether to set strict environmental conditions on new data centres.

Votes on whether new data centres must use renewable energy, save water and avoid raising household bills.

Each MLA

One square per vote, oldest first. A Aye, N No (not yet checked), no recorded vote.

• Andrew Barr · Kurrajong
  LaborNNAAAye 2, No 2
• Caitlin Tough · Brindabella
  LaborNNAAAye 2, No 2
• Chris Steel · Murrumbidgee
  LaborNNAAAye 2, No 2
• Marisa Paterson · Murrumbidgee
  LaborNo recorded vote on these
• Michael Pettersson · Yerrabi
  LaborNNAAAye 2, No 2
• Rachel Stephen-Smith · Kurrajong
  LaborNNAAAye 2, No 2
• Suzanne Orr · Yerrabi
  LaborNNAAAye 2, No 2
• Taimus Werner-Gibbings · Brindabella
  LaborNNAAAye 2, No 2
• Tara Cheyne · Ginninderra
  LaborNNAAAye 2, No 2
• Yvette Berry · Ginninderra
  LaborNo recorded vote on these
• Andrew Braddock · Yerrabi
  ACT GreensAANNAye 2, No 2
• Jo Clay · Ginninderra
  ACT GreensAANNAye 2, No 2
• Laura Nuttall · Brindabella
  ACT GreensAANNAye 2, No 2
• Rebecca Vassarotti · Kurrajong
  ACT GreensAANNAye 2, No 2
• Chiaka Barry · Ginninderra
  Canberra LiberalsNo recorded vote on these
• Deborah Morris · Brindabella
  Canberra LiberalsNNAAAye 2, No 2
• Ed Cocks · Murrumbidgee
  Canberra LiberalsNNAAAye 2, No 2
• Elizabeth Lee · Kurrajong
  Canberra LiberalsNo recorded vote on these
• James Milligan · Yerrabi
  Canberra LiberalsNNAAAye 2, No 2
• Jeremy Hanson · Murrumbidgee
  Canberra LiberalsNNAAAye 2, No 2
• Leanne Castley · Yerrabi
  Canberra LiberalsNNAAAye 2, No 2
• Mark Parton · Brindabella
  Canberra LiberalsNNAAAye 2, No 2
• Peter Cain · Ginninderra
  Canberra LiberalsNNAAAye 2, No 2
• Fiona Carrick · Murrumbidgee
  IndependentAANNAye 2, No 2
• Thomas Emerson · Kurrajong
  IndependentAANNAye 2, No 2

The votes

1. 1. 24 September 2026 · Energy—data centresAmendment to an amendment (4 levels deep). A vote on changing someone else's proposed change. It is a step along the way, not the final decision, and members often vote on wording or tactics here.Review in progress

   Mr Emerson's changes on data centres, adding warnings about higher bills and water use and applying the standards to centres approved before the new rules start. They were voted down. (our summary; the question as recorded is below)

   Question as recorded: That Mr Emerson’s amendment to Miss Nuttall’s proposed amendment to Mr Barr’s proposed amendment to Mr Milligan’s proposed amendment be agreed to. Question resolved in the negative.

   Voting Aye would count as for this issue (review in progress). They would have added stronger conditions.

   Ayes 6, Noes 15. Who voted each way · Official record, p. 3261 · Official record, Minutes No 70, item 17 ·

2. 2. 24 September 2026 · Energy—data centresAmendment to an amendment (3 levels deep). A vote on changing someone else's proposed change. It is a step along the way, not the final decision, and members often vote on wording or tactics here.Review in progress

   Greens changes requiring data centres to use 100% renewable power and closed-loop water cooling. They were voted down. (our summary; the question as recorded is below)

   Question as recorded: That Miss Nuttall’s proposed amendment to Mr Barr’s proposed amendment to Mr Milligan’s proposed amendment be agreed to. Question resolved in the negative.

   Voting Aye would count as for this issue (review in progress). They would have added strict environmental conditions.

   Ayes 6, Noes 15. Who voted each way · Official record, p. 3261 · Official record, Minutes No 70, item 17 ·

3. 3. 24 September 2026 · Energy—data centresAmendment. A vote on changing the wording of a motion or bill. Voting against a change can mean "not like this", not opposition to the idea.Review in progress

   A Liberal rewrite of a Greens data centre motion, as changed by Labor, focused on attracting investment while not passing energy costs to households. It passed. (our summary; the question as recorded is below)

   Question as recorded: That Mr Milligan’s amendment, as amended, be agreed to. Question resolved in the affirmative.

   Voting No would count as for this issue (review in progress). It replaced the Greens' strict conditions with an investment-focused approach.

   Ayes 15, Noes 6. Who voted each way · Official record, p. 3262 · Official record, Minutes No 70, item 17 ·

4. 4. 24 September 2026 · Energy—data centresFinal vote on a motion, as amended. The deciding vote on a motion after earlier votes changed its wording.Review in progress

   The final data centre motion, in its rewritten form. It passed. (our summary; the question as recorded is below)

   Question as recorded: That the original question, as amended, be agreed to. Question resolved in the affirmative.

   Voting No would count as for this issue (review in progress). The final motion no longer included the strict conditions.

   Ayes 15, Noes 6. Who voted each way · Official record, p. 3264 · Official record, Minutes No 70, item 17 ·

Other Assembly decisions on climate and environment

13 decisions on this topic since November 2024, newest first. Most were decided on the voices, without a recorded vote. Grouped into this topic by key words, so a few may belong elsewhere.

• 22 October 2026Bees and other pollinators: SupportMoved by Taimus Werner-Gibbings · Passed on the voices, no names recorded · 1 change agreed first
• 24 September 2026Data centres: Infrastructure developmentMoved by Laura Nuttall · Passed in a recorded vote, 15 to 6 · 2 changes agreed first
• 15 September 2026Animal welfare management data: Order to table: Return of documentsMoved by Tara Cheyne · Passed on the voices, no names recorded
• 10 June 2026Wildlife conservation support: Regulatory reform and reportingMoved by Caitlin Tough · Passed on the voices, no names recorded
• 25 March 2026City and environment legislation amendment bill 2026Moved by Tara Cheyne · Passed on the voices, no names recorded

See all 13 on the Decisions page →