Pocock uses Press Club debut to float gas export tax and data centre levy

Independent ACT senator David Pocock has proposed a 25% tax on gas exports and a 5% levy on data centres, according to the Guardian, in his first address to the National Press Club of Australia in Canberra on Wednesday 21 October 2026.

Pocock said he was not launching a bid for prime minister. He used the speech to call on voters to abandon the major parties before the 2028 election and for independents to govern in minority, News24 reported. He also said he sees an opportunity at the next election for a new kind of community political collective.

The speech came after an alleged attack on Indi MP Helen Haines, the independent, who lost both legs following the attack. Nine reported that the speech was framed as a tribute to Haines's values and that Pocock wanted to build an alliance of independents able to form a minority government. Pocock said threats towards parliamentarians had reached an all-time high and needed to be addressed.

On tax, Pocock argued the gas export tax could fund welfare boosts, health reforms and aged care. He said two months of revenue from it would pay for 100,000 home support packages.

His data centre proposal is aimed at capturing more of the benefits of the artificial intelligence boom. SBS reported that the levy is projected to raise $500 million by 2030.

Pocock also called for transparency reforms to shine a light on lobbyists, secret meetings with politicians and vested interests. He described question time in parliament as a "disgrace" and urged colleagues to meet a better standard.

Pocock no longer holds the Senate balance of power and holds only one vote in parliament.