Australian Space Park

In reply to Mr PATTERSON (Morphett) (20 June 2024). (Estimates Committee B)

The Hon. S.C. MULLIGHAN (Lee—Treasurer, Minister for Defence and Space Industries): In the 2023-24 state budget, funding was allocated to support and expand the South Australian space industry. This initiative provides investing expenditure of $20.0 million over two years from 2024-25, and operating expenditure of $2.5 million in 2023-24 and $3.5 million per annum from 2024-25 to support the South Australian space ecosystem. This will build on the existing space presence at Lot Fourteen and assist in the attraction, growth and retention of space companies in South Australia.

I have been advised that we are undertaking several measures to support our space companies involvement in space-related defence projects.

Kanyini—building of a satellite to deliver space-derived services to the state. It will strengthen the competitiveness of South Australian businesses in the small-satellite supply chain and pave the way for external investment and future growth in Australia and abroad.

Space Collaboration and Innovation Fund–an investment focused grant scheme intended to drive the growth of South Australia's space sector through industry ingenuity and international partnerships.

Venture Catalyst Space Program–has supported 40 space startups since inception in 2018, with 90 per cent still operating as of June 2024. The program has provided $345,000 in direct funding to these space startups, and our alumni collectively raising over $35.3 million in declared additional investment while creating more than 230 new jobs in the sector. The program specialises in developing commercial space ventures through equity-free funding, industry mentorships, business development support, access to resources and a thriving startup community.

Andy Thomas Space Foundation—has made great strides in advancing space education and outreach across Australia—igniting a curiosity for space. The foundation also delivers the annual Australian Space Forum to an international audience of over 1200 and 70 exhibitors. This has enabled international partnerships across academia, industry and government.

Lot Fourteen—space and defence is one of four focus industry clusters at Lot Fourteen, which is also home to the Australian Space Agency; Mission Control Centre; Australian Space Discovery Centre; SmartSat CRC; private companies Myriota, Neumann Space, Inovor, Saber Astronautics and SITAEL Australia; plus businesses and organisations in other sectors that work with the space industry.

Space Assembly Integration Facility—soon to established will be a will be a nationally leading and unique facility that will enable space companies and the wider ecosystem to use state-of-the-art equipment to validate, test, and assemble a myriad of high tech and innovative technologies.

Engagement with key defence space stakeholder, Defence Space Command—1 Space Surveillance Unit Commercial Data Mission Centre (1SSU CDMC) located at Lot Fourteen. As the first Joint Space Unit in the Australian Defence Force, 1SSU CDMC brings together members of the Royal Australian Air Force, Australian Army, Royal Australian Navy and Australian Space Agency, in an integrated headquarters. 1SSU CDMC is well positioned to leverage data from commercial providers to deliver diverse and timely space domain awareness (SDA). This growth at Lot Fourteen showcases how co-location can improve collaboration between Defence and the commercial space industry and is testament to South Australia's strength as the defence and space state.