Arthur Sinodinos (NSW, Liberal Party, Minister for Industry, Innovation and Science) Share this | Hansard source

Thank you, Senator Bushby, for this timely question. There are a lot of exciting things happening in Australia's space sector. Just this week, we saw the launch of Cuberider-2, which I was delighted to authorise. A payload programmed by Australian students blasted off to the International Space Station to gather data from space. It is a great thing to be talking about in this National Science Week, when we are trying to get the young people of Australia to take an interest in science, technology, engineering and maths.

The Turnbull government recognises the incredible potential of our space industry to drive investment, create jobs and position us as a global industry leader. That is why we have commissioned a review of Australia's space industry capability. It will examine the role of government in supporting a strong, competitive space industry and the best way for us to harness our industry advantages. This is not about whether we should have a space industry. We have one. This is about the framework to take the space industry to the next stage. It will support leadership, innovation, opportunity and entrepreneurship across the sector along with our broader national interests. The result of this review will be a national strategy for the sector, a strategy that reflects both our developing strengths and national interests over the next decade. An important part of the review will be establishing the case for a national space agency to act as a coordinator of space policy across the government and to act as an interlocutor on the global stage when we interact with other players so we can look them in the eye and develop the networks and the contracts which are needed to take the space industry to the next level. This will be a very important development to be able to put together a space strategy for not only the next decade but the next two decades, recognising there are many great Australians who work in the sector, including people who are working overseas who we want to bring back to Australia. (Time expired)