Greens senator David Shoebridge has called for a blanket ban on new Australian government contracts with US tech company Palantir, describing it as 'sensible' amid growing concerns over data transparency. He stated there is 'zero clarity about what data [governments] are giving' to the firm.
Controversial Manifesto Sparks Backlash
The call follows Palantir's publication of a manifesto on X earlier this month, which argued for American power and implied some cultures are inferior. UK MP described it as the 'ramblings of a supervillain'. The company, co-founded by billionaire Peter Thiel and aligned with Trump, develops software for analysing vast data sets for governments and corporations.
Palantir's software is used by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the Israeli military, adding to concerns. In Australia, state and federal contracts with Palantir total nearly $80 million, with federal investment reportedly exceeding $160 million.
Greens Senator's Stance
Senator Shoebridge emphasised the need for a comprehensive public audit of existing government agreements with Palantir before any new contracts are signed. 'Governments in this country are rushing to sign contracts with Palantir despite a growing public backlash and with zero clarity about what data they are giving to this multinational threat,' he said. He expressed deep concern over Palantir's integration into Australian institutions and its access to sensitive datasets.
Palantir's Defence
A Palantir spokesperson defended the company, stating it is 'a software company' that does not collect or monetise data. 'We simply provide the tools to help customers organise and understand their own information. How those tools are used is determined by the customer, and constrained legally, contractually, and technically by their instructions,' the spokesperson said. They noted ICE has used Palantir software since 2011 under multiple administrations.
Australian Government Contracts
Palantir has identified Australia as a lucrative market. Federal agencies including Austrac and the defence department have spent an estimated $60 million on contracts, while the Future Fund holds $100 million in Palantir shares. The company also has state contracts, including a $9 million deal with Corrections Victoria for its prison system, bringing total spending by Victoria's prison system to nearly $20 million since 2012.
Corrections Victoria's contract, not due to expire until 2028, uses Palantir Centurion built on Foundry, an analytical intelligence repository for capturing and analysing multi-source data. A 2013 report indicated the system automatically processes inmate data to show connections and flag warning signs.
Lobbying and Code of Conduct
Palantir previously hired communications company Cmax Advisory for lobbying in Canberra, but that relationship ended in April 2025. Digital Rights Watch raised concerns with Finance Minister Katy Gallagher about transparency and accountability. The finance department noted Palantir is subject to the Commonwealth Supplier Code of Conduct, effective July 2024, which requires managing labour, human rights, and cybersecurity risks. However, FOI requests from the Guardian revealed no documentation of Palantir being assessed against the code. A Palantir employee stated the code clauses 'cause no concern for Palantir'. Austrac and the defence department affirmed adherence to the code but did not confirm specific assessments of Palantir.
