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The House Standing Committee on Industry, Innovation, Science and Resources today tabled its report, The Now Frontier: Developing Australia's Space Industry.
The Chair of the Committee, Mr Pat Conaghan MP said, 'this is an exciting time for the Australian space industry, which is deservedly receiving a renewed focus and interest. The industry is not the new frontier, but the now frontier, and building on its strengths will have enduring benefits for all Australians. The pace at which space-based technologies and innovation are developing is set to revolutionise the way we live. There are enormous opportunities for individuals, organisations, and communities to take advantage of this growing sector, particularly in rural and regional areas. In addition to improving our lives, this transformation will present real opportunities for Australia to be part of a growing and lucrative global space industry. Australia needs to position itself to capitalise on these opportunities.'
Mr Conaghan MP went on to say, 'it is the hope of the Committee that this report acknowledges the with awe-inspiring work already happening here in the Australian space industry and goes further to encourage and support the future promise and potential of the industry.'
This bipartisan report of the Committee makes 38 recommendations designed to drive growth and investment, encourage commercialisation of research and development, better facilitate international collaboration and grow a future space workforce.
Key recommendations include: a national assessment of Australia's current and future space infrastructure requirements with particular emphasis on developing sovereign capability in identified areas, while acknowledging the need for industry to access a range of infrastructure for research and development; and community education and outreach programs to promote the range of professions – not generally associated with space – such as law, medicine, project management, communications and business that will all be required to support Australia's space industry and facilitated to grow an internationally competitive sector.
A copy of the report can be found on the Committee's website.
