Craig Emerson (Rankin, Australian Labor Party, Minister Assisting the Finance Minister on Deregulation) Share this | Hansard source

Thank you. The main functions will be to operate Australia’s national observatory for optical astronomy, to undertake, support and report on astronomical research and to develop and manufacture astronomical observing instruments. The observatory will also serve the optical astronomy community in other ways, including by supporting Australia’s participation in future world-leading astronomical facilities.

The director will be supported by the Australian Astronomical Observatory Advisory Committee, which will provide independent expert advice on how the astronomical functions are to be performed.

This bill, together with the new funding announced by the government in the 2009-10 budget, will help to ensure that the observatory continues to host and support world-class astronomy, to be an innovative source of new astronomical instruments and to provide the expertise Australia needs to participate in international scientific collaborations.

Further details of the bill are contained in the explanatory memorandum.

Debate (on motion by Mrs Mirabella) adjourned.

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