Crisafulli doubles down on rejection of Coalition’s AI nuclear push

Premier David Crisafulli doubled down on Queensland’s refusal to power data centres with nuclear energy, breaking with his federal party branch’s push to lift the ban on the energy source to fuel artificial intelligence.

The federal Coalition has proposed allowing energy-hungry data centres to be powered by small modular reactors.

Crisafulli secured an exemption from the Albanese government’s renewable-only plan in August to enable the state to also power centres with coal and gas, but the LNP state government stopped short of extending this energy source further.

Queensland Treasurer David Janetzki told the National Press Club on Wednesday there were no plans to repeal the state’s nuclear moratorium if a Coalition government won the next federal election.

“I deal with what is, and our energy roadmap dealt with what is in front of us,” he said.

“It’s a matter for Canberra and, let’s be honest, unless there’s bipartisan support out of Canberra, no one’s going to come and invest [in nuclear]. And so I’ve been really clear, my focus is entirely on what lies in front of me, and that’s where the energy roadmap is, and that’s where my focus will continue to be.”

This view was backed by Crisafulli on Thursday.

“Have a look at our energy plan. It’s working,” he told reporters.

“People have had the first reduction in their power bills in living memory.

“That hasn’t happened because of luck … What David has done is the blueprint for the country, and it’s working.”

The nuclear debate pitted Crisafulli against his federal colleagues at the 2025 election, when he vowed his government would not repeal a ban on nuclear power despite then-opposition leader Peter Dutton promising a Coalition government would build plants across the country including in Queensland.

The construction of data centres has become the latest front in the energy debate, due to the huge power demands of facilities.

On Wednesday, Crisafulli told reporters builders of data centres in Queensland would need to generate additional electricity to bring down prices for Queenslanders.

“That’s my non-negotiable, and that’s all part of the energy plan,” he said.

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