Pocock rules out PM run, pitches 'community political collective'

Independent senator calls for gas and data centre taxes, urges kinder politics

By LineZotpaper

Published21 October 2026

Updated21 October 2026

Read Time2 min

Sources4 outlets

Independent ACT senator David Pocock has used his first National Press Club address to rule out a tilt at the prime ministership, instead outlining plans for a new alliance of community independents and proposing significant taxes on gas exports and data centres.

Speaking in Canberra on Wednesday, Senator Pocock said his ambition was 'much bigger' than becoming prime minister. His focus is on building a political system that 'actually delivers for Australians, no matter who is prime minister'.

He branded Question Time a 'disgrace' and urged colleagues to 'double down' on the values of transparency, accountability and kindness, in response to an alleged attack on fellow independent MP Helen Haines.

Pocock proposed three major policy reforms: a 25 percent tax on gas exports to fund welfare, health and aged care; a 5 percent levy on data centres to capture benefits from the AI boom; and transparency reforms targeting lobbyists and vested interests.

'You can make cuts or you can grow revenue,' he said. 'I don't understand why we're slugging everyday Aussies and yet we're happy to export gas for free.' He recounted the story of a constituent eating dog food because she could not afford meat on the JobSeeker allowance.

While light on specific detail, Pocock called for a 'coalition' of independents and community groups, mentioning movements like Community Strong and backing independent candidate Hannah Ferguson in the prime minister's own seat of Grayndler. He said he wanted to use what he had learned in four and a half years in parliament to help build this new model of politics, but stressed he was not planning to become prime minister himself.

Analysis

Why This Matters

The speech signals an attempt to formalise the community independent movement into a structured political force ahead of the next election.
Pocock's proposed gas and data centre taxes are shaping the economic debate, forcing the government to defend its revenue policies.
The emphasis on parliamentary standards puts pressure on major parties to address voter disillusionment with political combat.

Background

David Pocock is a former rugby union player and conservationist who became the first independent senator for the ACT in 2022. He briefly held the balance of power in the Senate, using his single vote to leverage policy outcomes. He is part of a broader wave of 'teal' independents focused on integrity and climate action.

Key Perspectives

David Pocock / Teal Independents: The two-party system is failing. A coalition of community-focused independents can deliver better governance. Windfall resource profits and tech growth should be taxed to fund social needs and infrastructure. Major Party Establishment: Labor and the Coalition are publicly skeptical of Pocock's tax proposals and political model. Government MPs have faced mounting grassroots pressure over the gas tax, forcing them to defend the current export regime. Critics and Skeptics: Questions remain over the cohesiveness of a broader independent bloc. The 25 percent gas export tax could face fierce industry opposition and concerns over international investment competitiveness.

What to Watch

Whether Pocock's 'coalition of independents' formalises before the next federal election.
The government's response to the 25 percent gas tax and 5 percent data centre levy in upcoming economic statements or budget.
The outcome of the alleged attack on Helen Haines and any parliamentary standards reforms.

Sources

'My ambition is much bigger': David Pocock unveils his new political vision · The Canberra Times - News
Soft-spoken David Pocock has big ambitions – but first he wants politicians to ‘double down’ on kindness · World news | The Guardian
'Imagine siding with the tech bros': Pocock proposes new levy on big players · Top Stories
Soft-spoken David Pocock has big ambitions – but first he wants politicians to ‘double down’ on kindness · Australia news | The Guardian

Checked

12 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 7 supported.

Show each claim

SupportedPocock ruled out a run for prime minister.World news | The Guardian: “At his first speech to the National Press Club on Wednesday, he said he wasn’t launching a bid for prime minister”
SupportedPocock pitched a ‘community political collective’.World news | The Guardian: ““I see an opportunity at the next election for a new kind of community political collective … I want to use what I’ve learned over the past four-and-a-half years to help.””
SupportedPocock said he did not understand why Australians were being slugged while gas was exported for free.World news | The Guardian: ““I don’t understand why we’re slugging everyday Aussies and yet we’re happy to export gas for free.””
Partly supportedPocock was speaking in Canberra on Wednesday.World news | The Guardian: “At his first speech to the National Press Club on Wednesday”
SupportedPocock said he wanted a political system that “actually delivers for Australians, no matter who is prime minister”.World news | The Guardian: ““I want to be part of building a political system that actually delivers for Australians, no matter who is prime minister,” the ACT senator said.”
Partly supportedPocock outlined plans for a new alliance of community independents.World news | The Guardian: “His idea for a new “coalition” of independents was light on detail, but he said he wanted to “build” something alongside communities which were already organising.”
Partly supportedPocock proposed a 25% gas-export tax to fund welfare, health and aged care.World news | The Guardian: “A 25% tax on gas exports, which he said could fund anything from boosting welfare to health reforms and aged care.”
SupportedPocock proposed a 5% levy on data centres to capture benefits from the AI boom.World news | The Guardian: “A 5% levy on datacentres to capture more benefits from the AI boom.”
Partly supportedPocock urged colleagues to “double down” on transparency, accountability and kindness in response to the alleged attack on Helen Haines.World news | The Guardian: “Speaking directly about Haines, he said parliament must “meet this [alleged] attack on you by doubling down on the values you represent” – listing transparency, accountability and kindness.”
Partly supportedPocock recounted that a constituent ate dog food because she could not afford meat while on JobSeeker.World news | The Guardian: “Pocock recounted the moment a woman sat sobbing in his office, so destitute on the miserable jobseeker allowance that she ate dog food because she hadn’t eaten meat in so long.”
SupportedPocock said, “You can make cuts or you can grow revenue.”World news | The Guardian: “Pocock replied instantly: “You can make cuts, or you can grow revenue.””
SupportedPocock backed independent candidate Hannah Ferguson in Grayndler, the prime minister’s seat.World news | The Guardian: “A Pocock-backed independent in Ferguson, replacing the prime minister in his own seat, would be a whole new level.”