Defence SA head to push SA’s space agency capabilities

DEFENCE SA chief Richard Price will today spruik the state’s space capability to a major conference with an audience including astronauts and heads of industry.

• Victoria begins campaign for National Space Agency

DEFENCE SA chief Richard Price will today spruik the state’s space capability to a major conference with an audience including astronauts and heads of industry.

And in her opening address, Industry Minister Michaelia Cash will outline how Australia will reform its space laws to give industry greater scope to play a part, by allowing easier launches of high-powered rockets.

South Australia is pushing to play a leading role in the new National Space Agency, which officially starts operating on July 1.

But it faces stiff competition, as Victoria, Western Australia and New South Wales are all pushing to house the agency headquarters.

Both Premier Steven Marshall and Opposition Leader Peter Malinauskas are lobbying for SA to be a leader.

Mr Price will tell the Australian Strategic Policy Institute conference that SA’s space journey has included setting up a state-based agency, that it has more than 60 space start-ups, and that SA’s position as the “defence state” dovetails with space-based aspirations.

He will say that there are “synergies” between defence and space, “particularly with the sharing of infrastructure and technologies”.

“However, our interest in space extends well beyond the defence industry applications,” he will say as part of a panel on what the states have to offer.

“SA industry is developing groundbreaking solutions utilising space technology and critical data to allow industries to optimise their operations in sectors such as agriculture, mining, and marine.”

Senator Cash will say the new agency will work with each state and territory to work out “what they can bring to the table”.

She will also say legal reforms will help Australia catch up with the dynamic nature of space industry.

“These updates include new arrangements to facilitate the safe launch of high-powered rockets and the safe launch of rockets from aircraft in flight,” she will say.

“The effect of these changes will be to bring Australia in line with global practice.”