Albanese backs down on renewable-energy mandate for AI datacentres, carving out Queensland and the NT

Albanese has exempted Queensland and the Northern Territory from requiring new AI datacentres to run on renewables, after both refused to sign rules banning coal and gas. The reversal comes days after the government flagged overriding state resistance — and after Chris Bowen vowed to use constitutional powers to force compliance. The NT can use Beetaloo Basin gas; Queensland can use its publicly-owned fossil-fuel generators.