Regional Queensland's ability to contribute towards the establishment of an Australian space industry will form an important part of a Parliamentary inquiry to be announced today.
Minister for State Development, Manufacturing, Infrastructure and Planning Cameron Dick said the modern space industry had significant potential and Queensland aimed to capitalise on the many emerging opportunities this industry presents.
"The Parliamentary State Development, Natural Resources and Agricultural Industry Development Committee will explore how Queensland can play a role in developing the supply chains needed to support the growth of the Australian space industry," he said.
"Space industries represent the next frontier in advanced manufacturing, and Queensland is leading the nation in the development of space support services.
"We intend to discover new ways to unlock the economic potential of this emerging industry.
"The space industry is part of the knowledge economy, and I am committed to making sure Queensland is an active participant in it."
Mr Dick said the Parliamentary inquiry would consider several key areas.
"This inquiry will consider the regional opportunities for Queensland given the vision and focus of the Australian Government’s newly-established Australian Space Agency," he said.
"It will also consider areas of regional Queensland where supply chain capability exists or could exist, particularly in areas of competitive advantage such as space-based sensing, services and support, data analysis and space system design and manufacture."
Mr Dick said the Queensland Government’s space industry group will also continue to meet to guide the development of Queensland’s space industry.
The group is made up of key representatives drawn from research institutions and industry, including prime contractors and SMEs, with interest and skills in developing Queensland’s space sector.
Group Chair and the Queensland Government’s inaugural aerospace advisor Air Vice-Marshal (Ret) Neil Hart AM said a white paper produced by the Space Industry Association of Australia notes the space industry as one of the most dynamic and fast-growing sectors of the world economy.
"In Australia, the space industry generates revenues between $3 billion and $4 billion per year and employs around 10,000 people, however Australia’s space industry is currently disjointed and lacks national infrastructure," he said.
The group will act as a sounding board for potential space project initiatives that fit within the remit of the Queensland Aerospace 10-Year Roadmap and Action Plan, launched in June 2018.
"We’re enhancing Queensland’s level of aerospace industry capability to access new global supply chain opportunities and promote Queensland as a preferred destination for aerospace, which includes a strong focus on space," Mr Dick said.
"Queensland has already recognised expertise in aerospace with many multinationals and SMEs demonstrating their expertise every day, and we want to build on this to grow the space industry.
"This is a burgeoning opportunity that can disrupt traditional ways of conducting business and cuts across many industries including mining, agriculture, environmental monitoring, disaster management and land management."
