Steve Georganas (Adelaide, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

I understand very clearly, as does the Albanese government, that the space sector can make a hugely valuable contribution to Australia's modern economy. I represent the seat of Adelaide, and a lot of the space industry is based in my electorate. My state of South Australia has a vibrant space ecosystem, with over 90 space organisations, including a significant number of defence prime operating space businesses, high growth SMEs and the headquarters of the SmartSat CRC, as well as the Australian Space Agency headquarters. I'm very proud to represent these groups in my electorate.

The government is making sure that the Australian Space Agency maintains its presence in Adelaide. I'm very pleased about that because we know how important the space sector is not just to the Australian economy but also to the South Australian economy. With offices around the country and with a clear purpose, the agency will continue to deliver nationally. South Australian companies and projects have received over $550 million in public and private investments since 2018 out of a total pipeline of $3 billion. Over $340 million of total investment in my home state in the space sector—most of it in my electorate—has come from industry or private equity investment. That is a big vote of confidence for the market in South Australian know-how. I'm very proud of that.

The space sector can be an essential ingredient for our nation to achieve greater economic success, as well as greater economic complexity, supporting adjacent high-tech industries from agriculture to resources and advanced manufacturing. Space can also play a leading role in developing Australia's emerging critical technologies such as quantum, AI—artificial intelligence—robotics and other priority areas for this government and its focus. Space both leverages and creates markets for these technologies, feeding into the development for the benefit of all industries and for the wellbeing of the community.

While it might be the glamour stories—such as stories about rocket launches—that grab the headlines, on this side of the House we know that businesses powering the Australian space industry are getting on with the job of developing the skills and technologies that we require now, and will require into the future, that help Australians every day. Whether it be deploying technology to track bushfires from orbit or developing autonomous space systems with applications in mining and agriculture, this space industry is delivering for Australians, and the government wants to back the practical work in it. That includes the work of companies like Fleet Space Technologies, whose network of minisatellites and ground sensors—which are manufactured in Adelaide—is helping the mining sector to conduct mineral exploration activities more quickly, safely, affordably and with minimal environmental impact. Fleet also run in-house programs to train up the next generation of STEM talent from a range of backgrounds.

These are the kinds of practical applications of space technologies that we on this side of the chamber are interested in. One of our first actions as a government was to announce approval for NASA to launch a series of rockets from Arnhem Space Centre in the Northern Territory—a historic moment for the space industry in Australia. It was the first commercial space launch in Australia and the first time NASA has launched from a commercial spaceport outside the US. That's a vote of confidence in Australian know-how and capability that we should all be proud of. The nature of space is that it attracts the best of Australian science and technology talent, and for that reason it pushes us to new horizons—literally.

The Albanese government wants Australians from all corners of the community to have access to interesting, rewarding, well-paid and secure jobs, including in the space industry. We know that for many young Australians space is a very inspiring gateway to study and work in the broader world of science and technology. That's why it was incredibly exciting that Katherine Bennell-Pegg, an employee of the Australian Space Agency, became the first Australian-born woman to represent our nation in astronaut training within the European Space Agency. Through role models like Katherine we can encourage more of our young people to pursue STEM-related careers— (Time expired)

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