SA Premier over the moon at joint US lunar project

Scott Morrison’s US visit has Steven Marshall rubbing his hands at new space commitment.

United States President Donald Trump with wife Melania and Prime Minister Scott Morrison with wife Jenny before the state dinner in the Rose Garden at the White House on Saturday.

Following the announcement that the Australian Space Agency will support NASA’s lunar project, South Australian Premier Steven Marshall is over the moon.

He told reporters on Saturday he “couldn’t be more excited” that the Australian and American space agencies signed the joint statement of intent during Scott Morrison’s visit to the US.

“It’s a pretty exciting project to be involved in - assisting NASA getting to the moon,” Mr Marshall said.

“We’re the home of the headquarters Mission Control and Space Discovery Centre for the Australian Space Agency and I think it’s going to get even more investment into our state.” He said the biggest benefit would be raising the Australian Space Agency’s profile.

“That will lead to more investment and, being based in SA that means that investment with come to SA, so it will lead to more jobs.

“I know there are already a lot of young people getting super excited about the opportunities for jobs in the space sector.” Mr Marshall believes the two space agencies will have a strong working relationship.

Premier of South Australia Steven Marshall hopes the commitment will bring more jobs to his state.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison was hosted at a state dinner by US President Donald Trump at the White House where they began their talks on topics including the US-Australian alliance, China, Iran, a minerals action plan and space exploration.

Australia agreed to support the US bid to return to the moon in 2024 and onto Mars and to expand collaboration in areas of mutual interest such as robotics, automation, and remote medicine.

“A big part of what we’ve been discussing here is the new opportunities, the rare earths, the critical minerals, frontier technologies, space - this is where jobs are going to be in the future as well,” Mr Trump said during Mr Morrison’s visit.

“We’re going to Mars; we’re stopping at the moon. The moon is actually a launching pad, that’s why we’re stopping at the moon.”

KEY OUTCOMES FROM SCOTT MORRISON’S MEETING WITH DONALD TRUMP

* Australia confirmed its intent to join US-led patrols through the Strait of Hormuz, south of Iran.

* Agreement to develop a new mechanism to strengthen and align coordination of Indo-Pacific strategies.

* Trade departments to sign a memorandum of cooperation to support infrastructure development in the Indo-Pacific, with a focus on Pacific island nations.

* Australian Space Agency to sign a joint statement of intent in support of NASA’s plans to return to the moon by 2024 and onto Mars, and to expand collaboration in areas of mutual interest such as robotics, automation, and remote medicine.

* Agreement to hold high-level discussions in Washington, DC in November to develop a critical minerals action plan and increase trade in rare earths between the US and Australia.

* Enhance cooperation between the scientific communities through a joint senior- level dialogue on advancing frontier technologies.

* Agreement to work together on marine plastic debris and to support efforts on improved waste management, recycling, and innovation.

* CSIRO to join the US government-funded ReCell Center’s industrial advisory council to deepen collaboration on lithium-ion recycling.

* Australia will join the US Hydrogen Safety Centre and send emergency services personnel to work on developing best practices in hydrogen safety. * National Science Foundation will send a delegation of subject matter experts to Australia to work with scientific, engineering, and education communities on identifying research projects in areas of mutual and strategic interest.

AAP