Page 2512 - Week 07 - Wednesday, 1 August 2018
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overall industry development goals for our nation. But, to be clear, if Canberra is the agency’s permanent home, then we are determined to make a contribution in the ACT as part of a nationally collaborative approach.
This is an opportunity for cooperative federalism, not competitive federalism. We have already demonstrated as a jurisdiction the capability to lead the project, and Canberra’s bid is about getting the best outcome for the Australian industry over the longer term. We want to continue to support the development of space, defence and cyber security industries because we know Canberra has the capacity to lead in these new sectors.
We will continue to back local businesses to thrive in these areas from investing in start-ups through the CBR Innovation Network to our work with the CSIRO ANU, UNSW Canberra and other research institutions, we have been able to create a new, innovative and thriving space industry in Canberra. Our space ecosystem offers world-class research, knowledge and practical experience. Central to our city’s space industry development is an innovative ecosystem that includes government, industry, educational institutions and the wider research community. There is no doubt that the ANU and UNSW Canberra are amongst Australia’s most active higher education institutions in space-related disciplines.
Ms Cheyne indicated the recent launch of the Buccaneer cube sat by UNSW Canberra and the defence science and technology group shows how government-supported space missions can grow national space industry capability. Through Mount Stromlo the ANU is building some of the best satellite instrumentation equipment in the world. Last week I was very pleased to be able to make a significant investment on behalf of the ACT government in the national space test facilities at Mount Stromlo to provide greater access to those facilities for SMEs, particularly from the Canberra region.
There is no doubt that active government support for a new industry is essential to keep us at the front of the pack and to keep the best minds coming to our city to undertake their work and research. Through our world-class education system and our government and industry-supported STEM and entrepreneurship activities we are building an extraordinary capability of skills and knowledge in Canberra, just the sort of knowledge a growing space sector needs.
It is important that a burgeoning industry has the right skills within its local workforce, and this is why it is so pleasing to see that ANU, University of Canberra, the University of New South Wales Canberra and the Canberra Institute of Technology are all working together to offer a range of significant space and cyber-related course offerings. This is, of course, also supported by significant investments from Canberra-based private companies to invest in the skills of their workforces.
It is important to engage the next generation in the wonders of the space sector, and ACT education is now supporting MSAT, Canberra’s first astronomical teaching observatory for school students at Mount Stromlo.
In conclusion, Canberra is the logical location to be the permanent home of the Australian Space Agency. Whilst we will not seek to pre-empt commonwealth
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