Rockliff has backed himself and Tasmania into a corner. Again. 

The Premier knows he is in trouble. 

He’s backed himself and Tasmania into a corner. Again. 

So Premier, now you want to buy the communities favour? 

If the Premier is serious that data centre and AI infrastructure host communities should “directly benefit”, he can start with the company he welcomed with open arms.

Firmus is already here. Tasmanians don’t feel like they’re seeing any benefit.

Premier Rockliff must tell the community how much Firmus will pay into his new fund.

Tell Tasmanians how much Firmus will pay, when it will pay, and where that money will go.

The Premier also needs to explain how any of this will be enforced. 

Will he bring legislation to Parliament?

Then there’s power. 

The Premier says data centres will need to “help establish new power generation”. What does that actually mean?

Does it mean new renewable generation built here in Tasmania? Or does it mean generation built on the mainland and imported through Marinus?

I want to see Tasmania attract investment in AI and new industries. But data centres and AI infrastructure must be able to demonstrate genuine, ongoing benefit to Tasmania and bring new energy projects with them, built here in Tasmania. 

Otherwise, they are just using us and our renewable reputation and will drive up the cost of power bills for Tasmanians.