WEBVTT 1 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:00.640 Music 2 00:00:08.180 --> 00:00:11.360 The Australian History Association of Australia Distinguished Lecture. 3 00:00:11.640 --> 00:00:15.340 My name is Naomi Mathers and I'm the Deputy Chair of the SIAA. 4 00:00:16.200 --> 00:00:22.600 Before we start our very interesting format, there are a few housekeeping issues I've been asked to deal with. 5 00:00:23.220 --> 00:00:27.120 Please, I will ask you all to be courteous and turn off your mobile phones. 6 00:00:27.720 --> 00:00:33.680 I'm sure Megan can come up with a suitable punishment for anybody whose phone goes off during the session. 7 00:00:34.420 --> 00:00:36.600 All funding will be cancelled for your project. 8 00:00:38.800 --> 00:00:41.500 We encourage you to connect via social media. 9 00:00:42.080 --> 00:00:51.960 Please use the tweet handle at ADIFOI, the hashtag ADIFOI, and also on Instagram and it's in your program. 10 00:00:52.020 --> 00:00:53.320 I'm not going to try and read that out. 11 00:00:54.400 --> 00:00:56.820 We ask you please not to record this session. 12 00:00:57.120 --> 00:01:04.120 It is being professionally recorded and it will be made available to you by the Space Industry Association and the Festival of Ideas. 13 00:01:05.560 --> 00:01:10.560 So just a warning that tonight's session will be recorded, both video and audio. 14 00:01:12.500 --> 00:01:20.680 So on behalf of the SIAA Board, I'd like to start by acknowledging that the land we meet on today is the traditional land for the Kaurna people 15 00:01:20.680 --> 00:01:23.620 and that we respect their spiritual relationship with their country. 16 00:01:23.980 --> 00:01:26.100 We also acknowledge that the Kaurna people, 17 00:01:26.100 --> 00:01:29.260 as the traditional custodians of the Adelaide region, 18 00:01:29.460 --> 00:01:34.040 and that their cultural heritage beliefs are still important to the living Kaurna people today. 19 00:01:35.440 --> 00:01:42.320 I'd also like to acknowledge the organisers of the Festival of Ideas for welcoming us within their program. 20 00:01:43.340 --> 00:01:49.020 What a perfect subject for a Festival of Ideas, for nothing excites new ideas like space. 21 00:01:49.640 --> 00:01:54.460 From the exploration of our solar system to the use of space to manage our earthly resources, 22 00:01:54.460 --> 00:01:57.220 space stimulates new technologies and applications. 23 00:01:57.800 --> 00:02:01.740 It motivates students to study science, technology, engineering and mathematics. 24 00:02:02.140 --> 00:02:05.260 It challenges our lawyers to develop new legal frameworks. 25 00:02:05.600 --> 00:02:09.280 It inspires our artists and provides new business opportunities. 26 00:02:10.800 --> 00:02:14.900 Australia is rich with talented and creative people working in the space industry. 27 00:02:15.460 --> 00:02:20.700 The SIAA has been bringing these people together and advocating their needs for 25 years. 28 00:02:20.960 --> 00:02:23.720 And now we have more than 170 members nationally. 29 00:02:24.840 --> 00:02:29.300 In September last year, the SIAA hosted the International Astronautical Congress, 30 00:02:29.560 --> 00:02:33.500 here in Adelaide, to showcase this expertise to the world. 31 00:02:33.860 --> 00:02:38.280 This Congress attracted more than 4,500 of the world's space experts. 32 00:02:39.320 --> 00:02:43.720 The SIAA was thrilled that the government chose this global stage 33 00:02:43.720 --> 00:02:46.420 to announce the establishment of the Australian Space Agency. 34 00:02:48.180 --> 00:02:53.660 The SIAA advocated for the establishment of an agency in its 2017 white paper, 35 00:02:53.660 --> 00:02:55.080 Advancing Australian Space, 36 00:02:56.080 --> 00:02:59.660 outlining both the need and the benefits of a coordinating agency. 37 00:03:00.720 --> 00:03:03.240 We're pleased that the government acted on this advice, 38 00:03:03.480 --> 00:03:06.400 and on the 1st of July, only a few weeks ago, 39 00:03:06.600 --> 00:03:08.420 the Australian Space Agency came into being. 40 00:03:09.540 --> 00:03:13.240 Such an ambitious endeavour, which carries with it the expectations of a nation, 41 00:03:13.400 --> 00:03:14.960 requires an exceptional leader. 42 00:03:15.280 --> 00:03:18.680 And we believe Dr Megan Clark is the perfect choice. 43 00:03:19.940 --> 00:03:22.820 Dr Clark has a distinguished career in the mining sector, 44 00:03:22.820 --> 00:03:24.160 before leaving CSIRO. 45 00:03:24.720 --> 00:03:29.120 She has served on the Prime Minister's Science, Engineering and Innovation Council, 46 00:03:29.420 --> 00:03:32.560 as well as the Prime Minister's Taskforce on Manufacturing. 47 00:03:33.440 --> 00:03:37.160 In 2014, she was appointed a Companion of the Order of Australia 48 00:03:37.820 --> 00:03:42.340 for eminent service to scientific research and development through fostering innovation, 49 00:03:42.700 --> 00:03:45.980 to science administration through strategic leadership roles, 50 00:03:46.820 --> 00:03:49.700 and to the development of public policy for technological sciences. 51 00:03:50.980 --> 00:03:55.200 This experience made her an excellent choice to chair the Commonwealth Government's 52 00:03:55.200 --> 00:03:56.840 Space Policy Expert Reference Group, 53 00:03:56.960 --> 00:04:00.480 that also included our SIAA Chair, Michael Davis. 54 00:04:01.000 --> 00:04:05.680 On the 1st of July, she became the inaugural head of the new Australian Space Agency. 55 00:04:06.360 --> 00:04:08.680 It's my great pleasure to welcome to the stage, 56 00:04:08.860 --> 00:04:12.240 this year's SIAA Distinguished Speaker, Dr Megan Clark. 57 00:04:19.960 --> 00:04:23.660 Thank you very much, and thank you for that warm introduction. 58 00:04:24.000 --> 00:04:28.520 I also wanted to acknowledge the traditional owners, 59 00:04:28.660 --> 00:04:32.780 particularly as we're talking about Australia's future in space. 60 00:04:33.120 --> 00:04:37.360 I think it's wonderful to look back tens of thousands of years, 61 00:04:37.500 --> 00:04:41.880 and I know the Kaurna people had a wonderful connection with space. 62 00:04:41.980 --> 00:04:47.100 In fact, from their stories, according to Duane Hamacher, 63 00:04:48.480 --> 00:04:49.680 the people of Kaurna, 64 00:04:49.680 --> 00:04:53.000 all of the Adelaide Plains saw the Great Milky Way 65 00:04:53.960 --> 00:05:00.460 as a winding river with the huts alongside the edge of the Milky Way. 66 00:05:00.620 --> 00:05:03.480 And the dark patches of the Milky Way, 67 00:05:04.200 --> 00:05:09.760 they saw as the deep, swirling and dangerous parts of that river. 68 00:05:11.100 --> 00:05:18.440 And the Southern Cross, they saw as one of the great eagles' will do. 69 00:05:19.000 --> 00:05:21.460 It's a wonderful connection, I think, with space. 70 00:05:21.900 --> 00:05:25.600 It's a real honour to deliver the SIAA oration, 71 00:05:25.740 --> 00:05:29.940 and in particular, I wanted to thank the very many people 72 00:05:30.920 --> 00:05:32.840 who, every step along the way, 73 00:05:33.760 --> 00:05:38.020 made it possible for us to have a space agency. 74 00:05:39.260 --> 00:05:42.020 They worked tirelessly for many decades. 75 00:05:42.400 --> 00:05:44.480 Many of those people are here in the room, 76 00:05:45.440 --> 00:05:48.420 and I just want to personally thank them. 77 00:05:48.440 --> 00:05:52.060 Each and every one of those people who actually made this possible. 78 00:06:01.440 --> 00:06:05.300 We literally started just over a week ago, 79 00:06:05.420 --> 00:06:06.980 so it does seem very new. 80 00:06:07.260 --> 00:06:10.000 I can tell you that we are absolutely excited 81 00:06:10.000 --> 00:06:15.820 that after the efforts of many, we can get going. 82 00:06:16.080 --> 00:06:17.760 I have to say, on the Monday morning, 83 00:06:17.760 --> 00:06:20.160 which was July 2nd, we had geared up to start, 84 00:06:20.640 --> 00:06:23.940 we literally wandered around in circles for about an hour 85 00:06:24.460 --> 00:06:26.500 because we had worked so hard for that day. 86 00:06:26.680 --> 00:06:27.820 And suddenly it was here, so we... 87 00:06:27.820 --> 00:06:29.980 I let the team, as I walk around for a bit, 88 00:06:30.020 --> 00:06:31.880 said, right, that's it, now we've got to get to work. 89 00:06:32.060 --> 00:06:40.500 So we are so keen to do our very best to serve this nation, 90 00:06:41.780 --> 00:06:44.060 but to also serve your vision. 91 00:06:44.540 --> 00:06:46.220 We listen to the vision of the nation, 92 00:06:46.220 --> 00:06:48.060 and when you do something like this, 93 00:06:48.860 --> 00:06:50.660 I think the nation is very wise, 94 00:06:50.940 --> 00:06:52.820 and so we listened to the wisdom of the nation, 95 00:06:52.920 --> 00:06:57.900 and we simply reflected that simple and very coherent vision 96 00:06:58.480 --> 00:06:59.520 back to the government. 97 00:06:59.820 --> 00:07:02.860 What could be simpler? 98 00:07:03.780 --> 00:07:06.460 And of course, I was very lucky that the nation 99 00:07:06.460 --> 00:07:10.340 had a very single voice, and knew exactly what it wanted. 100 00:07:10.400 --> 00:07:12.580 I think it was born a little bit out of frustration, 101 00:07:13.600 --> 00:07:15.480 so it knew exactly what it wanted, 102 00:07:15.480 --> 00:07:16.240 and that was delightful. 103 00:07:16.480 --> 00:07:18.940 I did want to acknowledge and absentia Michael Davis, 104 00:07:19.080 --> 00:07:20.360 who is the chair of SIA. 105 00:07:21.700 --> 00:07:24.660 He was part of the expert review group 106 00:07:24.660 --> 00:07:29.220 and a wonderful, wise council for the team. 107 00:07:29.340 --> 00:07:31.200 And of course, Naomi Mavis, the deputy chair, 108 00:07:31.420 --> 00:07:34.580 and with us the Deputy Lord Mayor as well, 109 00:07:34.620 --> 00:07:36.360 is with us tonight. 110 00:07:36.540 --> 00:07:38.260 So I just wanted to acknowledge that. 111 00:07:38.940 --> 00:07:40.220 Like many of you, 112 00:07:40.440 --> 00:07:44.260 I welcome the resounding $300 million investment 113 00:07:44.260 --> 00:07:46.680 by the federal government in the space sector 114 00:07:47.260 --> 00:07:48.060 in the May budget. 115 00:07:48.520 --> 00:07:51.380 It was not just a commitment to the agency, 116 00:07:51.600 --> 00:07:55.180 but this was a very strong and firm statement to the world 117 00:07:55.180 --> 00:07:57.460 that we were very serious this time. 118 00:08:00.260 --> 00:08:03.380 Also, the government supported all key recommendations 119 00:08:04.260 --> 00:08:07.580 of the review into Australia's space industry capability, 120 00:08:08.360 --> 00:08:10.720 which was really the nation's voice. 121 00:08:11.080 --> 00:08:14.160 The budget had $260 million 122 00:08:14.260 --> 00:08:16.560 to do three very important projects, 123 00:08:16.820 --> 00:08:19.560 and I just want to quickly outline those for you. 124 00:08:20.020 --> 00:08:22.100 $161 million went to Geoscience Australia 125 00:08:22.700 --> 00:08:26.000 to lift up our GPS network, 126 00:08:26.260 --> 00:08:29.080 that network that allows us to know where we are 127 00:08:29.080 --> 00:08:30.980 with our phones, et cetera, 128 00:08:31.100 --> 00:08:34.160 all those GPS chips that sit in so many devices. 129 00:08:34.440 --> 00:08:36.100 We were behind the world. 130 00:08:36.460 --> 00:08:38.780 We had five, 10-metre accuracy, 131 00:08:38.820 --> 00:08:41.180 and the rest of the world was a lot more accurate 132 00:08:41.180 --> 00:08:42.340 in how they positioned. 133 00:08:43.000 --> 00:08:44.040 This investment, 134 00:08:44.040 --> 00:08:44.180 this is the first time in a decade 135 00:08:44.180 --> 00:08:46.940 that lifts that accuracy to 10 centimetres. 136 00:08:47.040 --> 00:08:48.660 It's not very big. 137 00:08:48.840 --> 00:08:51.320 10 centimetres across all of our land, 138 00:08:51.540 --> 00:08:53.940 across all of our maritime jurisdiction, 139 00:08:54.420 --> 00:08:56.040 and across our airspace. 140 00:08:56.260 --> 00:08:59.120 So that brings us up to world-class standard. 141 00:08:59.260 --> 00:09:02.180 But what the budget did was go even further 142 00:09:02.180 --> 00:09:03.760 and provided $64 million 143 00:09:04.620 --> 00:09:06.660 so that in our capital cities, 144 00:09:06.920 --> 00:09:10.140 by using the additional mobile phone networks, 145 00:09:10.460 --> 00:09:12.180 we could do additional corrections, 146 00:09:12.180 --> 00:09:16.460 and we will have three centimetre accuracy from GPS. 147 00:09:16.900 --> 00:09:18.960 That is going to be world-leading. 148 00:09:19.160 --> 00:09:20.540 So not only do we catch up, 149 00:09:20.680 --> 00:09:22.940 but we've put that infrastructure in place 150 00:09:22.940 --> 00:09:25.680 that will allow us to be world-leading. 151 00:09:25.860 --> 00:09:29.520 I can assure you that sends a very strong message to the world. 152 00:09:30.840 --> 00:09:33.720 The budget also provided $37 million 153 00:09:33.720 --> 00:09:38.180 to commercialise some extraordinary work that's been done. 154 00:09:38.240 --> 00:09:39.840 I'll talk a bit more about that later, 155 00:09:39.940 --> 00:09:41.480 called Digital Earth Australia. 156 00:09:41.480 --> 00:09:45.600 Which is something that we could set the world standard for. 157 00:09:45.780 --> 00:09:46.720 And I'll talk a bit about that. 158 00:09:47.040 --> 00:09:49.300 It also provided the ongoing funding 159 00:09:49.300 --> 00:09:50.860 to the Australian Space Agency 160 00:09:50.860 --> 00:09:53.440 and gave us $15 billion to kick-start 161 00:09:53.440 --> 00:09:56.380 the international discussions. 162 00:09:56.900 --> 00:09:59.700 So quite an extraordinary investment. 163 00:10:00.180 --> 00:10:02.820 I remind people here in South Australia, 164 00:10:02.960 --> 00:10:05.480 of course, you see the impact of the Defence investment. 165 00:10:06.020 --> 00:10:08.820 And the Defence will be investing $10 billion 166 00:10:08.820 --> 00:10:11.460 in the aerospace over the next 20 years. 167 00:10:11.480 --> 00:10:15.220 And that's a fantastic foundation and ballast 168 00:10:15.220 --> 00:10:17.020 to growing the industry. 169 00:10:17.180 --> 00:10:19.040 So not just Defence, but those companies 170 00:10:19.040 --> 00:10:21.540 also supplying into the similar area. 171 00:10:21.840 --> 00:10:24.280 So every day we almost forget 172 00:10:24.280 --> 00:10:25.980 how space is used in banking, 173 00:10:26.100 --> 00:10:27.240 how it's used for television. 174 00:10:27.520 --> 00:10:31.360 I'm always astounded when you go to the wheat farms 175 00:10:31.360 --> 00:10:34.440 that sit between Victoria and South Australia 176 00:10:34.440 --> 00:10:37.140 and you see the rows that are planted 177 00:10:37.140 --> 00:10:39.100 and then next year's row is planted 178 00:10:39.100 --> 00:10:40.980 exactly in between 179 00:10:41.480 --> 00:10:44.600 and last year's where the tiny little stalks there 180 00:10:44.600 --> 00:10:46.740 protect the seeds coming up. 181 00:10:46.840 --> 00:10:49.060 And that is because you can use space 182 00:10:49.060 --> 00:10:50.540 to get that kind of accuracy. 183 00:10:50.740 --> 00:10:52.880 We forget that all of our agriculture 184 00:10:52.880 --> 00:10:55.460 is now dependent on space. 185 00:10:55.820 --> 00:10:57.600 Our marine vessels, of course, 186 00:10:57.720 --> 00:10:59.080 need space to communicate. 187 00:10:59.560 --> 00:11:01.420 But we are also a country 188 00:11:02.860 --> 00:11:05.700 where 99% of Australians 189 00:11:05.700 --> 00:11:07.760 have access to mobile phone, 190 00:11:08.000 --> 00:11:11.460 but actually only 30% of our geographic population 191 00:11:11.480 --> 00:11:13.180 in this large country 192 00:11:13.180 --> 00:11:15.880 has that kind of communication technology. 193 00:11:16.340 --> 00:11:17.880 So 70% of Australia, 194 00:11:18.000 --> 00:11:18.880 and I don't have to say this 195 00:11:18.880 --> 00:11:20.540 to South Australians, 196 00:11:20.620 --> 00:11:21.720 because you know what it feels like 197 00:11:21.720 --> 00:11:23.180 when you move out of Adelaide, 198 00:11:23.280 --> 00:11:26.380 70% of Australia does not have communications 199 00:11:26.380 --> 00:11:28.760 and that, of course, will need space. 200 00:11:29.140 --> 00:11:31.940 But add to that our maritime jurisdiction. 201 00:11:32.260 --> 00:11:34.860 We have one of the largest maritime jurisdictions 202 00:11:34.860 --> 00:11:35.980 in the world. 203 00:11:36.120 --> 00:11:38.120 And then add to that our airspace 204 00:11:38.120 --> 00:11:39.660 and everything moving through it 205 00:11:39.660 --> 00:11:40.640 and you start to realise 206 00:11:40.640 --> 00:11:42.920 how important communication will be. 207 00:11:43.120 --> 00:11:48.180 So tonight I wanted to share a little bit 208 00:11:48.180 --> 00:11:49.540 about the purpose of the Agency. 209 00:11:49.840 --> 00:11:51.420 I wanted to also share 210 00:11:51.420 --> 00:11:53.240 the strategic priorities of the Agency. 211 00:11:53.500 --> 00:11:56.680 And then, given that this is the Festival of Ideas, 212 00:11:56.700 --> 00:11:58.820 I wanted to put to you 213 00:11:58.820 --> 00:12:02.000 that Australia can and should step up 214 00:12:03.120 --> 00:12:07.540 and be a responsible global citizen in space 215 00:12:07.540 --> 00:12:10.620 and look at how we might do that. 216 00:12:10.640 --> 00:12:14.240 Space is going to become the defining domain 217 00:12:14.240 --> 00:12:18.260 for human ambition for decades to come. 218 00:12:18.480 --> 00:12:22.100 And we absolutely must be part of that as a country. 219 00:12:22.460 --> 00:12:26.200 Your Agency has a very clear purpose 220 00:12:26.200 --> 00:12:29.680 and that is to grow and transform 221 00:12:30.600 --> 00:12:32.560 Australia's space industry. 222 00:12:33.520 --> 00:12:36.860 It's also to increase the use of space 223 00:12:36.860 --> 00:12:38.980 across our full broader economy. 224 00:12:39.460 --> 00:12:40.620 Everything we do is to increase 225 00:12:40.640 --> 00:12:41.520 the use of space in terms of agriculture, 226 00:12:41.940 --> 00:12:43.100 mining, oil and gas. 227 00:12:43.520 --> 00:12:45.900 The use of space, we could lead in that. 228 00:12:47.560 --> 00:12:49.420 Our partnerships internationally 229 00:12:49.420 --> 00:12:51.060 are nationally critical for this. 230 00:12:52.280 --> 00:12:54.640 Australia said we want to be inspired 231 00:12:55.600 --> 00:12:58.660 by what Australia can and will do in space. 232 00:13:00.260 --> 00:13:02.300 And of course we need to improve 233 00:13:02.300 --> 00:13:04.140 the lives of all Australians 234 00:13:04.140 --> 00:13:07.000 and take our place as a responsible citizen. 235 00:13:07.840 --> 00:13:09.860 We simply can't do this alone. 236 00:13:10.800 --> 00:13:13.100 We're certainly not the biggest 237 00:13:13.100 --> 00:13:14.960 and we're a little late to this party. 238 00:13:16.360 --> 00:13:18.780 So our efforts must be underpinned 239 00:13:18.780 --> 00:13:20.860 by very strong international partnerships 240 00:13:21.400 --> 00:13:22.840 and engaging nationally. 241 00:13:23.060 --> 00:13:24.620 We really do have to work together 242 00:13:24.620 --> 00:13:28.160 if we're going to run through the legs of giants. 243 00:13:30.140 --> 00:13:31.920 I've been really astounded 244 00:13:31.920 --> 00:13:34.300 that the response internationally 245 00:13:34.300 --> 00:13:36.600 has reinforced one thing for me. 246 00:13:36.780 --> 00:13:39.740 We were missing one door and one voice. 247 00:13:39.740 --> 00:13:42.260 And as soon as we had that, 248 00:13:42.460 --> 00:13:45.500 what was extraordinary has been the engagement. 249 00:13:46.820 --> 00:13:48.360 Even...we've only been up and running 250 00:13:48.360 --> 00:13:50.860 since the 1st of July. 251 00:13:51.000 --> 00:13:52.560 We are already in discussions 252 00:13:53.360 --> 00:13:56.060 for country-to-country cooperation agreements 253 00:13:56.060 --> 00:13:58.780 with the United States, with the UK, 254 00:13:59.120 --> 00:14:01.380 with France, with Canada, 255 00:14:01.520 --> 00:14:03.980 with the European Space Agency, with Japan, 256 00:14:04.220 --> 00:14:06.880 and others have already reached out to us. 257 00:14:06.920 --> 00:14:09.720 And that tells us that there's a need 258 00:14:09.720 --> 00:14:11.120 and there's an opportunity there for us. 259 00:14:11.380 --> 00:14:13.460 And it's been actually quite astounding. 260 00:14:13.680 --> 00:14:14.720 On the other side, 261 00:14:14.820 --> 00:14:17.380 I think there's hundreds of us sitting at the Space Agency 262 00:14:17.380 --> 00:14:19.500 and really there's only a few of us. 263 00:14:19.660 --> 00:14:21.180 So it's been kind of interesting. 264 00:14:21.580 --> 00:14:24.160 On the positive side, we did have one discussion. 265 00:14:24.360 --> 00:14:25.340 I know I mentioned the country. 266 00:14:25.460 --> 00:14:27.260 It was a very large country. 267 00:14:29.140 --> 00:14:32.020 And we said we'd like to build a ground by October. 268 00:14:32.140 --> 00:14:32.820 And they sort of said, 269 00:14:32.900 --> 00:14:34.660 well, that's not going to be possible for us. 270 00:14:35.120 --> 00:14:36.960 And they asked our first, 271 00:14:37.020 --> 00:14:38.580 would you think that's possible for you? 272 00:14:38.580 --> 00:14:39.440 And he sort of thought, 273 00:14:39.520 --> 00:14:40.680 well, I have to talk to Magnus, 274 00:14:40.700 --> 00:14:41.740 he has to talk to Joe, 275 00:14:41.800 --> 00:14:42.720 and then we'll write it up. 276 00:14:42.840 --> 00:14:44.160 Yeah, that's possible for us. 277 00:14:45.040 --> 00:14:46.640 It's a lot less bureaucracy. 278 00:14:48.120 --> 00:14:50.440 We certainly want to open the door 279 00:14:50.440 --> 00:14:53.200 so that industry and research can move through. 280 00:14:53.480 --> 00:14:54.820 And to do that, of course, 281 00:14:54.820 --> 00:14:56.880 we need to understand the strategic priorities 282 00:14:57.580 --> 00:14:59.540 of industry and research. 283 00:15:00.380 --> 00:15:03.420 So it's not just about building our industry as well. 284 00:15:04.440 --> 00:15:07.880 We definitely want to step up 285 00:15:07.880 --> 00:15:11.140 and be a much more responsible global citizen 286 00:15:11.880 --> 00:15:16.980 because we need to be part of ensuring safe and secure operations in space 287 00:15:17.880 --> 00:15:21.860 and, of course, healthy operations in space and on Earth. 288 00:15:23.260 --> 00:15:25.320 We also want to share with all Australians 289 00:15:25.320 --> 00:15:29.800 the increasing use of space 290 00:15:29.800 --> 00:15:31.420 and we want to share with Australians 291 00:15:31.420 --> 00:15:35.520 some of the really exciting things that are going to be happening 292 00:15:35.520 --> 00:15:37.780 so that Australians can feel proud 293 00:15:38.600 --> 00:15:40.940 as we step up and take our place 294 00:15:40.940 --> 00:15:42.660 and you can feel proud of the companies, 295 00:15:42.680 --> 00:15:43.500 of the researchers, 296 00:15:43.720 --> 00:15:44.720 of some of the students 297 00:15:44.720 --> 00:15:46.660 and some of the extraordinary things 298 00:15:46.660 --> 00:15:48.260 that they will be doing in space. 299 00:15:48.680 --> 00:15:51.880 We want to connect parents and children 300 00:15:51.880 --> 00:15:53.060 with their curiosity, 301 00:15:53.180 --> 00:15:55.480 that natural curiosity that they have of space 302 00:15:56.140 --> 00:15:57.740 and want to learn more. 303 00:15:57.820 --> 00:15:59.100 You're all curious, 304 00:15:59.200 --> 00:16:00.080 that's why you're here. 305 00:16:00.380 --> 00:16:02.500 And I know Mary was saying 306 00:16:02.500 --> 00:16:04.180 she's got a bunch of grandchildren 307 00:16:04.180 --> 00:16:05.580 that she's trying to get curious. 308 00:16:05.640 --> 00:16:07.200 We want to connect that curiosity. 309 00:16:07.200 --> 00:16:07.520 We want to connect that curiosity 310 00:16:07.520 --> 00:16:08.740 and have it grow 311 00:16:08.740 --> 00:16:12.660 because it's certainly an opening into technology 312 00:16:12.660 --> 00:16:14.620 and engineering, science and maths. 313 00:16:14.960 --> 00:16:16.840 It's a wonderful, wonderful door. 314 00:16:17.780 --> 00:16:20.400 And we're going to do some seriously cool things 315 00:16:20.400 --> 00:16:22.420 and we want to share that as well. 316 00:16:22.860 --> 00:16:24.960 We'll work closely, very closely, 317 00:16:25.000 --> 00:16:26.200 with our federal colleagues 318 00:16:26.200 --> 00:16:29.440 such as the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. 319 00:16:29.700 --> 00:16:30.480 We'll work with CSIRO. 320 00:16:30.620 --> 00:16:32.020 We'll work with Geoscience Australia. 321 00:16:32.320 --> 00:16:35.360 We'll work with the regulators such as ACMA and CASA. 322 00:16:35.360 --> 00:16:38.500 We'll work with the states and territories and industry 323 00:16:38.500 --> 00:16:44.780 to craft national policy and strategy for civil space. 324 00:16:47.500 --> 00:16:50.540 A lot of people would argue that we are late to this party. 325 00:16:50.760 --> 00:16:53.700 I think Iceland now becomes the only OECD country 326 00:16:53.700 --> 00:16:55.480 that doesn't have a space agency. 327 00:16:56.700 --> 00:16:58.100 And it's true. 328 00:16:58.220 --> 00:16:59.620 We are late to this party. 329 00:17:00.000 --> 00:17:03.960 Many of you would remember Australia's entry into space 330 00:17:04.580 --> 00:17:06.720 several decades ago in the 60s. 331 00:17:06.780 --> 00:17:09.280 We were one of the countries that was right in there 332 00:17:09.280 --> 00:17:11.100 and then we sort of... 333 00:17:11.100 --> 00:17:13.620 I don't know how to put it. We lost the plot a little. 334 00:17:13.840 --> 00:17:16.520 And we lost that sense of urgency. 335 00:17:17.040 --> 00:17:19.340 We want to get that back. 336 00:17:20.820 --> 00:17:23.200 But we're entering at a really important time. 337 00:17:23.340 --> 00:17:24.520 We're entering at a time 338 00:17:25.040 --> 00:17:28.940 when space is moving from predominantly in the government domain 339 00:17:29.620 --> 00:17:31.040 into the commercial domain. 340 00:17:32.400 --> 00:17:33.940 So it used to be several decades ago. 341 00:17:33.960 --> 00:17:37.460 Three quarters of what was done was in the government side. 342 00:17:37.680 --> 00:17:39.860 And now that's completely flipped into the commercial. 343 00:17:40.120 --> 00:17:42.220 So we're coming into a realm 344 00:17:42.820 --> 00:17:46.100 where how we do that and how we work with our industry 345 00:17:46.100 --> 00:17:47.300 has completely changed. 346 00:17:47.460 --> 00:17:49.860 And that does give us a blank piece of paper. 347 00:17:50.860 --> 00:17:54.480 We've set the purpose of our agency to be industry-focused. 348 00:17:54.500 --> 00:17:55.220 We will be. 349 00:17:56.140 --> 00:17:59.400 One of the most industry-focused agencies in the world. 350 00:18:00.340 --> 00:18:03.800 We have to be focused because we're small. 351 00:18:03.800 --> 00:18:05.660 And we don't have a lot of money. 352 00:18:06.300 --> 00:18:09.420 But we do believe that this is where the future is going. 353 00:18:10.280 --> 00:18:12.840 So we're very keen to deliver on your vision, 354 00:18:14.080 --> 00:18:15.360 the vision of the nation, 355 00:18:15.600 --> 00:18:17.460 and we're keen to produce an agency 356 00:18:17.460 --> 00:18:20.720 of which all Australians can be really proud. 357 00:18:21.800 --> 00:18:23.980 I wanted to cover the strategic priorities. 358 00:18:24.040 --> 00:18:25.640 So for the nerds and tech heads, 359 00:18:25.800 --> 00:18:27.180 and I know there's some of you in here, 360 00:18:27.300 --> 00:18:29.920 I wanted to go into a little bit of that 361 00:18:29.920 --> 00:18:33.780 and share where we think Australia can go. 362 00:18:33.800 --> 00:18:34.420 And I think that's where we're going to step up. 363 00:18:34.800 --> 00:18:36.260 We have to make choices. 364 00:18:36.540 --> 00:18:38.420 We have to make strategic choices. 365 00:18:38.760 --> 00:18:40.500 We have to lean on our strengths 366 00:18:40.500 --> 00:18:42.960 and also nurture some of the areas 367 00:18:42.960 --> 00:18:44.560 where we can lead in the world. 368 00:18:45.040 --> 00:18:46.380 We do have a lot of strengths. 369 00:18:46.560 --> 00:18:48.960 Where we are in the Earth 370 00:18:48.960 --> 00:18:51.980 as we look out into both the solar system and the galaxy, 371 00:18:52.280 --> 00:18:54.180 where we sit in the southern hemisphere, 372 00:18:54.300 --> 00:18:57.020 is extremely advantageous to us. 373 00:18:57.080 --> 00:18:58.300 We've got wonderful education. 374 00:18:58.340 --> 00:19:00.040 We've got an entrepreneurial spirit, 375 00:19:00.200 --> 00:19:02.880 that kind of Aussie can-do attitude. 376 00:19:03.800 --> 00:19:05.320 And this can really set us forward. 377 00:19:05.600 --> 00:19:07.300 But we've chosen six areas 378 00:19:07.300 --> 00:19:11.100 where we believe that we need to focus. 379 00:19:11.280 --> 00:19:13.200 The first, of course, as I mentioned, is communication. 380 00:19:16.320 --> 00:19:18.780 Three-quarters of the current space industry 381 00:19:18.780 --> 00:19:20.560 here in Australia is connected 382 00:19:20.560 --> 00:19:22.240 with using space for communication. 383 00:19:23.000 --> 00:19:25.380 So data, not so much voice anymore, 384 00:19:25.460 --> 00:19:27.560 because as you know, when you make a satellite call, 385 00:19:27.640 --> 00:19:30.340 that little delay is annoying to us. 386 00:19:30.540 --> 00:19:32.160 It didn't used to be 20 years ago. 387 00:19:32.200 --> 00:19:32.820 We were grateful, 388 00:19:32.820 --> 00:19:34.080 but now it's deeply annoying. 389 00:19:35.440 --> 00:19:39.400 And so space being much more used now for data. 390 00:19:40.780 --> 00:19:43.080 But space will be a key node 391 00:19:43.080 --> 00:19:45.520 in all future communication networks. 392 00:19:46.560 --> 00:19:48.500 And when you think of that future, 393 00:19:48.640 --> 00:19:51.460 we simply cannot be left out of that future. 394 00:19:51.540 --> 00:19:54.760 This is the country that brought Wi-Fi to the world. 395 00:19:54.980 --> 00:19:57.860 We can't be left out of the next generation 396 00:19:57.860 --> 00:19:59.920 of telecommunications. 397 00:20:00.360 --> 00:20:02.180 And this is all sorts of things. 398 00:20:02.180 --> 00:20:04.640 It includes high-altitude platforms. 399 00:20:04.860 --> 00:20:06.460 So putting communication platforms 400 00:20:06.460 --> 00:20:11.360 that can sit kind of almost where balloons would sit. 401 00:20:11.500 --> 00:20:13.960