Former prime minister Scott Morrison named as guest speaker for Western Cape Futures Symposium
Former prime minister Scott Morrison is set to play a starring role for a company aiming to build a spaceport in Far North Queensland at a symposium discussing the future space potential of the Western Cape.
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Former prime minister Scott Morrison is set to play a starring role for a company aiming to build a spaceport in Far North Queensland at a symposium discussing the future space potential of the Western Cape.
The Western Cape Futures Symposium 2025 held in Weipa on May 7 and 8 next week will feature Mr Morrison, who was named as Space Centre Australia chair last year, as the headline guest speaker.
Space Centre Australia plans to build a spaceport near Weipa that it hopes will become an “international airport for launch vehicles”.
The space centre came under fire last year with reports from employees claiming a director overstated government funding commitments by at least $100m while trying to garner support for the bold scheme.
Chief executive James Palmer has also come under fire from former staff of the Palm Branch group he also led went bust with almost $800,000 owed to creditors.
Employees also disputed claims from Mr Palmer that the business operated independently of SCA.
Speaking on the Space Connect Podcast, Mr Morrison said he hoped the level of priority given to the space industry by the government would increase.
“It’s in our national interests,” he said.
“We put in place a technology transfer to allow US spacecraft to be launched in Australia.
“There is a level of entrepreneurialism, ambition and commitment that is rapidly improving and developing a significant capability which is being looked on favourably in the US.”
Mr Morrison said as the domain became more contested there would need to be more places to launch from.
“It’s not just funding any scrap of land near the equator anywhere. It’s got to be a secure enclave in partnered jurisdictions where technology and comms are secure and so on.
“There aren’t many places in the world that have the security Australia has and the proximity to eastern equatorial launch.
“We have to leverage our geography.
The inaugural WCFS, held in 2023, drew more than 180 delegates and this year’s event is expected to draw an even bigger number of local leaders and community innovators.
The symposium aims to showcase opportunities for growth and development while addressing barriers to sustainability in the region.
Western Cape York, which has less than 5000 people, already contributes $2 billion to Australia’s national economy providing opportunities for future development.
However, while the region is rich with opportunity, it also faces many challenges, including an economy transitioning away from mining, climate impacts, inadequate infrastructure and complicated land tenure.
WCFS is hosted by the Western Cape Chamber of Commerce in partnership with Aurukun Shire Council, Mapoon Aboriginal Shire Council, Napranum Aboriginal Shire Council, the Weipa Town Authority, Tropical North Queensland Drought Hub, the Torres and Cape Indigenous Council Alliance, Western Cape Communities Trust, Cook Shire Council and Rio Tinto.
Advance Cairns chief executive Jacinta Reddan will also moderate a panel session.
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Originally published as Former prime minister Scott Morrison named as guest speaker for Western Cape Futures Symposium
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