Australian AI Investment a Priority as Menzies Research Centre Calls for Faster Data Centre Approvals, Tax Breaks, and Visa Concessions
Australian Financial Review
ENRICHED
Details
- Date Published
- 22 Feb 2026
- Priority Score
- 3
- Australian
- Yes
- Created
- 22 Feb 2026, 08:00 am
Description
The Menzies Research Centre says the country must speed up data centre approvals and resolve copyright law issues within 12 months or risk losing the AI race.
Summary
The Menzies Research Centre, a Liberal-aligned think tank, emphasizes the need for Australia to accelerate data center approvals, tax incentives, and visa concessions to capitalize on a potential $850 billion AI investment opportunity. The Centre critiques the Albanese government's national AI strategy as being 'slow and reactive,' underscoring the urgency to resolve data infrastructure and copyright law issues. The article indicates Australia's strategic positioning in the global AI race, highlighting the need for more proactive governance to avoid losing competitive advantage. This discussion is relevant to national policy-making on AI infrastructure and potential economic gains in the technological sector.
Body
TechnologyData centresPrint articleTess BennettTechnology reporterFeb 22, 2026 – 6.18pmFaster data centre approvals, tax breaks and visa concessions are urgently needed for Australia to compete in the race for a slice of $850 billion in artificial intelligence investment, a Liberal-aligned think tank argues.The Menzies Research Centre says the Albanese government’s national AI strategy, released in December, is “slow and reactive” and offers “little direction for industry or investors”.Loading...Tess Bennett is a technology reporter with The Australian Financial Review, based in the Brisbane newsroom. She was previously the work & careers reporter. Message Tess on Signal: @tessbennett.02. Connect with Tess on Twitter. Email Tess at tess.bennett@afr.comSaveLog in or Subscribe to save articleShareCopy linkCopiedEmailLinkedInTwitterFacebookCopy linkCopiedShare via...Gift this articleSubscribe to gift this articleGift 5 articles to anyone you choose each month when you subscribe.Subscribe nowAlready a subscriber? LoginLicense articleFollow the topics, people and companies that matter to you.Find out moreRead MoreData centresAIMichelle RowlandTim AyresInfrastructure boomInformation securityFetching latest articles