OPENING STATEMENT
Ben McGilp, General Manager, Development

Good morning Chair and Senators, and thank you for the opportunity to appear before the Committee today.

My name is Ben McGilp and I'm General Manager, Development at Goodman. I oversee development projects across Australia and appreciate the opportunity to contribute to the Committee's inquiry into artificial intelligence and data centres.

Goodman started in Australia more than 30 years ago, and we're proud of what we've built over that time. While we've grown into a global business, our headquarters remain here in Australia today.

Throughout our history, we've specialised in large-scale and complex projects that require significant investment, long planning horizons and close collaboration with governments, customers and communities. Those projects have taught us the importance of careful planning, responsible development and taking a long-term view.

As digital services continue to grow, it's understandable that people have questions about what that means for Australia. Questions about the role data centres will play, the benefits they can bring, the impacts that need to be managed, and how policy can keep pace with that growth are all reasonable.

Today, around 75 per cent of our portfolio is located outside Australia. That gives us firsthand experience developing, owning and managing data centres and other infrastructure in major markets around the world.

Importantly, the issues being considered by this Committee aren't unique to Australia. Governments around the world are working through how to support growing demand for digital infrastructure while managing energy, water, planning and community expectations.

Data centres support many of the services Australians rely on every day, from communications and banking to healthcare, education and research.

Our customers are responding to increasing demand, and we're responding to their need for efficient, well-located infrastructure. We also know these projects need to be planned and delivered responsibly. That means working closely with communities, governments and regulators, and carefully considering environmental, social and local impacts.

As a long-term owner and manager, we believe community confidence is earned through listening, transparency and accountability. Ultimately, our focus is to deliver infrastructure that creates lasting value for customers, communities and the broader economy.

We welcome the opportunity to contribute to the Committee's work and support clear, consistent and evidence-based regulation that provides confidence for communities, governments and industry.

Thank you, and I look forward to your questions.

OPENING STATEMENT Ben McGilp, General Manager, Development

OPENING STATEMENT
Ben McGilp, General Manager, Development

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