16 October 2017

WA Space delegation comes to Canberra

WA Liberal Senator Linda Reynolds will welcome the Western Australian Space Industry Delegation to Parliament today to brief the Federal Government on their proposed Space Industry, Science and Technology Research Centre (SISTR)

Senator Reynolds initiated the delegation following news the Commonwealth Government will be forming an Australian Space Agency.

“WA is already a key contributor to Australia’s space industry and is in a prime position to accommodate this centre,” Senator Reynolds said.

“I initially made the case for Western Australia as a significant contributor to Australia’s space industry capability in a joint submission with WA Opposition Leader Dr Mike Nahan to the Federal Government review in August.

“I am continuing to work with local universities, the WA State Government, the WA Opposition Leader and the Commonwealth Government to advance plans for Western Australia to play a significant role in supporting and growing national space capability. The creation of a national space agency that brings together all space-related activities in Australia is in the national interest.

“The consolidation and expansion of Western Australia’s existing space capabilities will play a significant role in the new Australian space agency. It’s not a matter of if Western Australia should play a role, but how big the role will be.”

The Western Australian Space Industry Delegation will be led by WA Chief Scientist Peter Klinken, and will consist of representatives from the State Government, Curtin, Murdoch, Edith Cowan and the University of Western Australia.

The delegation will brief Ministers and interested MPs on their concept of a facility modelled on NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory.

The proposed centre would be in Bentley next to the Pawsey Supercomputing Centre.

It would accommodate about 500 employees when fully established.

Media Contact: Amy Blom 08 9477 5411, 0431 685 372 or amy.blom@aph.gov.au