The House Standing Committee on Industry, Innovation, Science and Resources today tabled its report, The Now Frontier: Developing Australia’s Space Industry

Media release issue date: Thursday, 2 December 2021

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. Media enquiries: Amanda Donald in the Office of Mr Pat Conaghan MP 0418 928 744. For background information:   Standing Committee on Industry, Innovation, Science and Resources (02) 6277 4114 iisr.reps@aph.gov.au Interested members of the public may wish to track the committee via the website. Click on the blue ‘Track Committee’ button in the bottom right hand corner and use the forms to login to My Parliament or to register for a My Parliament account.

The House Standing Committee on Industry, Innovation, Science and Resources will travel to Queensland to hold a public hearing for its inquiry into Developing Australia’s Space Industry.

Media release issue date: Thursday, 6 May 2021

The House Standing Committee on Industry, Innovation, Science and Resources will travel to Queensland to hold a public hearing for its inquiry into Developing Australia’s Space Industry. The Committee will also conduct site visits to the University of Queensland’s Centre for Hypersonics in Brisbane, and Gilmore Space Technologies on the Gold Coast. The Chair of the Committee, the Hon Barnaby Joyce MP said ‘the Committee has heard some great evidence so far about how space-lead technology and data underpin our daily lives and the productivity of our economy. Australia is punching above its weight in many areas of research, development and infrastructure, but as a country, we need to do more to support our space industry so it is truly world-leading, attracts the best and brightest, and importantly, so that we have sovereign space capacity.’ ‘This inquiry has the potential to make some significant recommendations to strengthen support of our international space related activities, and our domestic capabilities, in our cities and our regional areas. The space industry is only going to become more integral to our way of life and Australia must be ready to lead.’ Mr Joyce said. Stakeholders including Boeing Australia, Earth Observation Australia Inc., Deloitte, the Queensland Government, and university sectors will speak to the Committee. The Committee is looking forward to an exciting program and viewing more of Australia’s world leading technology and infrastructure. Details of the hearing are: Date: Thursday, 6 May 2021 Time: 9:00am – 3:45pm Venue: Pullman & Mercure Brisbane (Kennedy Room), King George Square, Cnr Ann & Roma Streets, Brisbane. A copy of the public hearing program can be found on the Committee’s website.  Media enquiries: Please contact Sam Woods at the Office of Hon Barnaby Joyce MP on 02 6761 3080. For background information: Standing Committee on Industry, Innovation, Science and Resources 02 6277 4114 or iisr.reps@aph.gov.au Interested members of the public may wish to track the committee via the website. Click on the blue ‘Track Committee’ button in the bottom right hand corner and use the forms to login to My Parliament or to register for a My Parliament account.

Dr Paul Scully-Power, Australia’s first astronaut, will appear before the House Standing Committee on Industry, Innovation, Science and Resources for its Inquiry into Developing Australia’s Space Industry.

Media release issue date: Monday, 19 April 2021

Dr Paul Scully-Power, Australia’s first astronaut, will appear before the House Standing Committee on Industry, Innovation, Science and Resources for its Inquiry into Developing Australia’s Space Industry. Meeting in Sydney today, Dr Scully-Power will share his experiences and insights into what he describes as the ‘next world revolution’. The Chair of the Committee, the Hon Barnaby Joyce MP said ‘the Committee is very excited to be hearing from Dr Scully-Power and his ideas around ‘new space’, new technologies, and new opportunities for people to be involved in the space industry. Space related technologies were once considered those of the future – robots, drones, remote sensors, and artificial intelligence – but are very much where we are now.  For Australia to be competitive, we need to not only foster these technologies and their applications but ensure we have people with the right skills and expertise to make it happen.’ Mr Joyce said. Other witnesses appearing in Sydney will include Saber Astronautics, Solar Space Technologies, Moonshot, and the Space Industry Association of Australia. The Committee will also hold a hearing in Armidale tomorrow. Mr Joyce said, ‘there is so much potential for our rural and regional areas to benefit from and get involved in Australia’s space sector. This includes the links between our regional industries and the space sector, the application of space related technology and infrastructure to agriculture, health and telecommunications; and of course the uptake of regional education and training to better equip young people to build careers in this industry.’  The Committee will conduct a site visit of the University of New England’s SMART Farm Innovation Centre to see how satellites, sensors and software are being used in agriculture and farm management. Details of the hearings are: Date: Monday 19 April 2021 Time: 9:00am – 3:00pm Venue: SMC Conference and Function Centre, Corinthian Room, 66 Goulburn St, Sydney. Date: Tuesday 20 April 2021 Time: 9:00am – 1:15pm Venue: University of New England, Education Room 224, Arts Road, Armidale. Programs for both public hearings can be found on the Committee’s website. Media enquiries: Please contact Sam Woods at the Office of Hon Barnaby Joyce MP on 02 6761 3080. For background information: Standing Committee on Industry, Innovation, Science and Resources 02 6277 4114 or iisr.reps@aph.gov.au Interested members of the public may wish to track the committee via the website. Click on the blue ‘Track Committee’ button in the bottom right hand corner and use the forms to login to My Parliament or to register for a My Parliament account.

The House Standing Committee on Industry, Innovation, Science and Resources will travel to South Australia to hold a public hearing for its Developing Australia's Space Industry inquiry.

Media release issue date: Tuesday, 9 March 2021

The House Standing Committee on Industry, Innovation, Science and Resources will travel to South Australia to hold a public hearing for its inquiry into Developing Australia’s Space industry. The Committee will also conduct site visits of some of Australia’s awe-inspiring space technology and infrastructure, including the RAAF No 1 Remote Sensor Unit, Lot Fourteen and the Australian Space Agency. The Chair of the Committee, the Hon Barnaby Joyce MP said ‘Australia was at the forefront of the space industry in the 1960’s. From the geophysicists to the welder to the scientists soldering together the wire on a new Australian satellite, our nation has a future in space’. ‘Like all the space endeavours the benefits are far greater on the ground after the launch than the initial thrill of successful deployment. This inquiry will inform and ventilate the benefits of our own space industry across our nation’ Mr Joyce said. The Committee is keen to learn more about what capabilities, support, skills and training are required for Australia to be a leader in space. It will hear from a range of stakeholders who are already playing a role in developing this important industry. Hearing details Date: Wednesday 10 March 2021 Time: 9.00 am–3.15 pm Venue: Adelaide Hilton (Victoria Room), 233 Victoria Square, Adelaide. A copy of the public hearing program can be found on the Committee’s website. Media enquiries Please contact Sam Woods at the Office of Hon Barnaby Joyce MP on (02) 6761 3080. For background information Standing Committee on Industry, Innovation, Science and Resources (02) 6277 4114 or iisr.reps@aph.gov.au Interested members of the public may wish to track the committee via the website. Click on the blue ‘Track Committee’ button in the bottom right hand corner and use the forms to login to My Parliament or to register for a My Parliament account.

The House Standing Committee on Industry, Innovation, Science and Resources today tabled its report, From Rubbish to Resources: Building a Circular Economy.

Media release issue date: Monday, 7 December 2020

The House Standing Committee on Industry, Innovation, Science and Resources today tabled its report, From Rubbish to Resources: Building a Circular Economy. The Chair of the Committee, Hon Barnaby Joyce MP, said ‘this report addresses the dilemma in some way that the rubbish a nation creates in 2020 must be effectively, efficiently and sustainably dealt with by the nation that creates it. Finding big old holes in the ground to throw it in is a poor reflection of a nation that wishes to present itself as a clever country’. A key finding of the Committee was that Australia must be effective in delivering a unified approach across states and territories when it comes to waste management, and that the aim of a circular economy is to essentially ‘design out waste’. The Committee has made 24 recommendations including that the Commonwealth Government in consultation with state and territory governments implement a pathway to a predominantly national circular economy. This pathway should pay attention to the design and composition of products to enable the greatest capacity for end of life recycling, and consider regulation and incentives to encourage greater repair, reuse, recycling and recovery of materials. The Committee also looked to maximising the opportunities offered by rural and regional communities. It has recommended that the Commonwealth Government prioritise its coordination and leadership by assessing the potential of rural and regional towns to manage and process waste, and by assisting with investment in the necessary infrastructure to support a local industry.’ A copy of the report can be found on the Committee’s website. Media enquiries: Please contact Sam Woods at the Office of Hon Barnaby Joyce MP on (02) 6761 3080. For background information:   Standing Committee on Industry, Innovation, Science and Resources (02) 6277 4114 or iisr.reps@aph.gov.au

The House Standing Committee on Industry, Innovation, Science and Resources has commenced an inquiry into Developing Australia’s Space Industry.

Media release issue date: Monday, 30 November 2020

The House Standing Committee on Industry, Innovation, Science and Resources has commenced an inquiry into Developing Australia’s Space Industry. The Chair of the Committee, Hon Barnaby Joyce MP, said ‘Australia’s space industry is growing rapidly. The Australian Space Agency has a goal to triple the size of the sector to $12 billion and create an additional 20,000 jobs over the next decade. This inquiry will examine ways to achieve this.’ Space is an industry that inspires, fascinates and excites people. Generally, rockets and astronauts come to mind when we think about the space industry, but its technology and equipment are very much a part of our day-to-day lives, for example weather forecasting and GPS technology. There are enormous opportunities for individuals, organisations, and communities to take advantage of this growing sector, particularly in rural and regional areas, Mr Joyce said. The Committee’s inquiry will examine the breadth of opportunities presented by Australia’s space industry and what is required to strengthen support of our domestic and international space related activities. This includes the development of space technology and equipment, commercialisation of research and development, future workforce requirements, and international collaboration. The Committee would like to hear from interested people, organisations and agencies working in space related fields.  Submissions to the inquiry should be received by 29 January 2021.  The terms of reference for the inquiry can be found on the Committee’s website. Media enquiries: Please contact Sam Woods at the Office of Hon Barnaby Joyce MP on (02) 6761 3080. For background information:  Standing Committee on Industry, Innovation, Science and Resources (02) 6277 4114 or iisr.reps@aph.gov.au Interested members of the public may wish to track the committee via the website. Click on the blue ‘Track Committee’ button in the bottom right hand corner and use the forms to login to My Parliament or to register for a My Parliament account.