AI Data Centres vs Australia's Power Grid | Pre-Crime Laws Expand | Citizens Report 17 Sep 2026

Robert Barwick is joined by Richard Barden to examine the less-discussed consequences of the AI boom. From the enormous power and water requirements of hyperscale data centres to the growing pressure on Australia’s electricity system. They also examine Australia’s expanding counter-terrorism and national security laws, including control orders, preventative detention and post-sentence detention, highlighting the concerns raised by the Independent National Security Legislation Monitor and the implications for the rule of law. CHAPTERS 0:00 - Introduction 1:02 - Will AI Kill Us? The Skynet Debate 4:01 - Science Fiction Predicted AI Dangers 4:44 - Dangers of AI Summarizing Books 6:35 - Follow the Money: The AI Investment Bubble 8:06 - Chinese Open-Source AI vs Western Monopoly 12:36 - AI Copyright Sellout: Australian Artists Ripped Off 15:15 - The REAL AI Danger: Data Center Power & Water Crisis 19:01 - Coal Power vs Renewables for Data Centers 24:20 - State-by-State Data Center Chaos 27:02 - Government Crushes Local Council Opposition 29:34 - Community Campaigns Against Data Centers 32:31 - Australia's Pre-Crime Dystopia, ASIO 33:10 - Control Orders & Preventative Detention for Kids 34:57 - Minority Report & 2005 Anti-Terror Laws 35:18 - Watchdog Says: Repeal These Powers 38:10 - Alice in Wonderland: Government's Own Damning Quote 39:54 - Fight the Pre-Crime Bill: Take Action Now 41:51 - Sterling First Victims: No Compensation for the Needy 44:20 - Double Standards: $2M for Higgins, $0 for Elderly 46:34 - Like It or Not, We're All Australian 49:53 - Sam Lim MP: Chinese Australian Experience Donate to support the Citizens Party campaigns: https://citizensparty.org.au/donate?utm_source=Soundcloud&utm_medium=end_screen&utm_campaign=cit_rep_donation&utm_content=20260917_cit_rep For cheques and direct deposits, call 1800 636 432 Become a member of the Australian Citizens Party: https://citizensparty.org.au/membership?utm_source=Soundcloud&utm_medium=link&utm_campaign=membership&utm_content=20260917_cit_rep Sign the Citizens Party Petition to Save Australia's post offices!: https://info.citizensparty.org.au/save-post-offices Subscribe to the Australian Alert Service: https://info.citizensparty.org.au/subscribe?utm_source=Soundcloud&utm_medium=link&utm_campaign=AAS_subscibe&utm_content=20260917_cit_rep Sign up for ACP Email Alerts: https://citizensparty.org.au/join-email-list?utm_source=Soundcloud&utm_medium=link&utm_campaign=join_email&utm_content=20260917_cit_rep Contact your MP (search by name or electorate): https://www.aph.gov.au/Senators_and_Members Follow us on: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CitizensPartyAU Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/CitizensPartyAU X: https://x.com/CitizensPartyAU TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@citizenspartyau Soundcloud: https://www.Soundcloud.com/CitizensPartyAU LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/citizenspartyau Telegram: https://t.me/CitizensPartyAU #CitizensReport #Australia #AI #ArtificialIntelligence #DataCentres #EnergyCrisis #Electricity #NationalSecurity #PreCrime #AustralianPolitics #RuleOfLaw #AustralianNews #australianpodcast #CitizensPartyAu #PoliticalCommentary #ASIO