Australian Space Agency

Mr PATTERSON (Morphett) (14:09): My question is to the Premier. Will the Premier update the house on what action the government is taking to bid for South Australia to become home to the National Space Agency?

The Hon. S.S. MARSHALL (Dunstan—Premier) (14:09): As you would know, sir, the last time we met in this chamber I provided an update on what was contained within the federal budget. We on this side of the house—and I think we are joined by all members of this parliament—congratulate the federal government on their budget, and in particular their decision to establish a national space agency. Where we are going to be working very closely together is on this issue of putting our best foot forward to bring that national space agency here to South Australia.

I updated the house last time we met that I had already met with the Prime Minister, I had met with the defence minister, I had met with the defence industry's minister and I would like to update the house today that I have now met with Michaelia Cash from Western Australia. She is the minister for industry, science and innovation and also jobs and employment. She has a very important job, especially because she is the minister responsible for the establishment of the National Space Agency. You guys better be nice to her because we need this to come to South Australia.

I note that the Leader of the Opposition himself has said that he will take on the defence and space portfolio. I welcome that. I think it's now time for us, as a parliament, to go back to where the defence industry started when it was originally envisaged by the former government to work in a bipartisan way to advance the cause of bringing work to South Australia. I certainly welcome the Leader of the Opposition's interest in this area and the interest of many other members on that side of the house.

I read with interest the member for Playford's contribution in his maiden speech. I commend him for that speech. I wasn't able to be present in the chamber at the time, but I certainly read your speech and I congratulate you on that speech, in particular where you say that you have an ambition also for the National Space Agency to come to South Australia. Admittedly, he said that he wants it in his electorate—and quite rightly so.

Here you go. This is our great opportunity in South Australia to come together as a parliament to seek this National Space Agency to be based here in South Australia. Megan Clark, the former head of the CSIRO, has been appointed as the interim chief executive. Her office is going to be based in Canberra. She is going to be writing a report for minister Cash on this issue as to where the space agency should be based. We are going to be working very hard in trying to put forward the very best case for that agency to be brought to South Australia.

I think there are plenty of reasons as to why it should be here—number one, we've got an incredible history in terms of the space industry right here in South Australia. It was 50 years ago that we sent our first satellite up from Woomera. Next year is the 50^th anniversary of the first rocket launch from Woomera. We have the right geography but, most importantly, we have the best capability right here in South Australia. We are very fortunate to have a strong defence sector in this state, and we know that there are huge commonalities between the defence sector and the space sector—the players are often the same—and we will be putting our case forward to the federal government.

In addition, I use this opportunity to acknowledge one other person who has been very instrumental in putting forward the case for (1) the establishment of a space agency and (2) for it being based here in South Australia—that is, Dr Andy Thomas, the wonderful astronaut from South Australia. I was very fortunate to visit him at NASA in Johnson in 2016. We will be using every opportunity, every personnel we can, to make sure that we bring that opportunity here to South Australia.

The SPEAKER: I call the member for Wright. I call to order the member for Lee and also the member for Light. I call to order and warn the member for Port Adelaide and I remind the Premier to please make your remarks through the Chair. Member for Wright.