Australian Space Agency opens to spearhead $12bn industry

The government will look to grow Australia’s space industry by 20,000 jobs by 2030, as the new facility opens in Adelaide.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison during the opening of the new Australian Space Agency at Lot Fourteen in Adelaide. Picture: AAP

The government will look to grow Australia’s space industry by 20,000 jobs into a $12 billion sector by 2030, as a new national space headquarters is opened in Adelaide.

Scott Morrison has said the Australian Space Agency’s new facility is a central component to his vision for Australia to be a part of “the growing space economy”, which he believes exceed $1 trillion globally by 2040.

The Coalition are investing $700 million into the space sector. Picture: AAP

“Space captures the imagination and inspires us all. It develops new technologies that improve life on Earth and it offers huge economic and job opportunities,” the Prime Minister said on Wednesday.

“That’s why we’re investing almost $700 million into the space sector, including $150 million into Australian businesses so they can pick up more work and support more jobs by partnering with NASA’s Moon to Mars initiative.”

The Morrison government has set a goal of tripling the size of the sector to $12 billion. Picture: AAP

Minister for Industry Karen Andrews said “space is inspirational but it’s also big business”.

“The Morrison government is investing heavily in providing opportunity to Australians. We’ve set the goal of tripling the size of the sector in Australia to $12 billion and adding an extra 20,000 jobs by 2030,” Ms Andrews said.

“But beyond that space will create opportunities for core industries, from manufacturing to mining, to tap into new supply chains.”

Prime Minister Scott Morrison is seen with MP Karen Andrews and South Australian Premier Steven Marshall during the opening of the new Australian Space Agency. Picture: AAP

ASA head Megan Clark said she was “delighted to have a new home in the centre of Adelaide”.

“We look forward to developing the Australian Space Discovery Centre and Mission Control, which will open next year,” Dr Clark said.

Mr Morrison announced the $41 million Adelaide space facility in 2018.