David Pocock proposes gas export tax and alliance of independents in Press Club speech

Australian independent senator David Pocock used his first National Press Club speech on 21 October 2026 to propose new taxes on gas exports and data centres and call for an alliance of community independents ahead of the next election, The Guardian reported. He also urged politicians to improve their conduct after an alleged attack on independent MP Helen Haines.

The Guardian reported that Pocock was not launching a bid for prime minister and intended to remain in the Senate. He said his ambition was to help build a political system that delivers for Australians regardless of who leads the government.

Pocock’s gas tax and data centre proposals

He also proposed a 5% levy on data centres to capture more public benefit from the growth of artificial intelligence. His third priority was greater transparency around lobbyists, politicians’ meetings and vested interests.

To explain the stakes of welfare funding, Pocock recounted a woman visiting his office who, he said, had eaten dog food because she could not afford meat while receiving JobSeeker. He argued that gas tax revenue could help keep people receiving social security above the poverty line.

A possible alliance of community independents

Pocock said he saw an opportunity at the next election for a community political collective. He described smaller community interest parties and independents working together in an alliance, pointing to campaigns already organising in Australian electorates. He gave limited detail about how the alliance would operate.

The senator also called parliamentary question time a ‘disgrace’ and urged colleagues to meet the alleged attack on Haines by embracing transparency, accountability and kindness. The Guardian described his appeal as part of a broader call for a higher standard of political behaviour; the circumstances of the alleged attack were not established in its account.