The Albanese Government has confirmed it has cut over $1.2 billion from Australia’s space industry by cancelling the National Space Mission for Earth Observation program in its entirety.
Federal Member for Groom, Garth Hamilton has labelled the cuts to the space industry ‘economic vandalism’.
“This is pure and simple economic vandalism. Labor is cannibalising a future pillar of the Australian economy at a time when we need to diversify, with one of the largest cuts to the space industry in Australian history.
“Prior to the election Labor was arguing for further investment in the space industry; we now know that was just rhetoric and hollow point-scoring.
The National Space Mission for Earth Observation program was announced in the March 2022 Budget and allocated funding to the Australian Space Agency in partnership with CSIRO, Geoscience Australia, the Bureau of Meteorology and Department of Defence. It would have supported Australia to design, build, and operate four of our own new satellites.
Led by the Australian Space Agency, this Mission would have made Australia more self-sufficient and more self-reliant. It was a down payment on an entirely new industry for Australian workers and on Australia’s sovereignty and national security.
“Here in Toowoomba, we are seeing UniSQ accelerating investments in space education, research, partnerships and trials to lay the foundations in preparation for this growing industry.
“The space industry has the potential to generate high-skill jobs in advanced manufacturing but the decisions of this government are cannibalising opportunity for young people and our economy,” Mr Hamilton said.
The truth is these cuts make Australia weaker and more vulnerable in the increasingly uncertain world.
ENDS.
