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Legislative Council - Fifty-Third Parliament, Second Session (53-2)
2017-09-27 Daily Xml
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International Astronautical Congress

The Hon. J.E. HANSON (15:55): I rise today to speak on this year's 68th International Astronautical Congress, which is actually being held in Adelaide, just down the road, this week. I was honoured to attend the official opening of the congress and to represent the minister by hosting the eighth international meeting for members of parliaments which occurred in the lead-up to the event. It was fantastic to meet many members of international parliaments and to discuss with them the future jobs, the science and the new ideas that space provides. I in particular wish to thank Jean-Yves Le Gall, president of the International Astronautical Federation; Rosa Maria Ramírez de Arellano y Haro, the general coordinator for international affairs and space security of the Mexican Space Agency; and Kai-Uwe Schrogle, from the European Space Agency.

The fact is that for many years the space industry has been opening up opportunities for many nations in innovation, tech jobs, start-ups and investment. At the conference we heard from many companies operating in the space industry currently, or looking to invest in space, such as Blue Origin, Nova Group, Myriota, Fleet and Fresco Capital.

It was a pleasure to meet so many like-minded parliamentary members in the international community with a common focus on progressing the space industry. Future jobs and investment in our state will be greatly assisted by space-based industries. Investments in programs and businesses associated with space will improve the quality of lives of those future generations while also progressing exciting new discoveries.

The South Australian government is a strong supporter of the development of Australia's space industry. We recognise the economic potential that this $420 billion industry can have for our state. That is why we have so enthusiastically welcomed, also, today's news that commander Pamela Melroy, a veteran of nearly 1,000 hours in space, has been inspired to come and live in Adelaide to help Australia's space industry take off, as it were.

We have had more than 60 local companies with capabilities in space that attended or addressed the conference. Many of these companies were happy to discuss with me the recent launch of the South Australian Space Industry Centre, which has positioned South Australia as the lead state on space industry development in this country now that the federal government has also announced it shall follow South Australia's lead and establish a national body as well.

Our state is leading the way in the growth and development of Australia's space industry, because this government knows that many of our future jobs will be determined by the science, the intellectual property and how quickly we can uptake new ideas in industries like space. South Australia has seen a massive economic and social benefit from this year's 68th International Astronautical Congress, with thousands of international visitors spending the week in our state to share ideas and spend more than a few dollars while they do so.

I understand that next year's conference is headed to Bremen, in Germany, where the discussions will no doubt continue from what has been shaped by this year's intellectual momentum, built here in Adelaide. I wish all those associated with this year's huge success in Adelaide all the best, I congratulate the IAF for its congress and I look forward to an ongoing constructive relationship in space as we continue our endeavours to explore the world's final frontier.

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