Energy Minister Chris Bowen said the federal government will legislate national standards that require every datacentre to operate on 100% renewable energy with firming, and said no state or territory will receive a blanket exemption. He added that any state‑owned body seeking to use coal or gas must prove the energy is cheaper than renewable alternatives before an exemption can be considered, with the Australian Energy Regulator to assess each application. The remarks followed a national cabinet meeting in Sydney where Prime Minister Anthony Albanese emphasized that the new rules aim to prevent datacentres from raising household and business power prices and to ensure new developments contribute to the energy transition. Queensland Premier David Crisafulli and Northern Territory Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro said the discussions secured the ability to use gas from the Beetaloo basin for datacentre power, but Bowen reiterated that any carve‑out would be decided by the Commonwealth. The meeting also noted that datacentre electricity demand is projected to rise sevenfold over the next decade, according to the Australian Energy Market Operator, and that Australia’s carbon emissions fell 1.6% in the year to March 2026, driven by increased solar, wind and battery generation, with electricity emissions down 5.6 million tonnes and battery power discharge up 300%. Bowen said further work is needed in transport and that the country remains far from its 43% emissions reduction target for 2030 and longer‑term 62%‑70% cuts by 2035.