Senator GALLACHER (South Australia) (19:54): I rise tonight to speak about the importance of getting students involved in science and maths, and I hope that these students will move into a career in space science. Last year I had the pleasure of representing the then Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research, Senator Carr, in launching a program of Flinders University called Project21. Project21 has been a beneficiary of the Labor government's vision for national space policy. This vision was given greater attention after the report of an inquiry into space by the Senate Standing Committee on Economics, chaired by former Senator Annette Hurley from South Australia, who was a passionate advocate for space science. The report considered options that would allow Australia to be more involved in space policy. It looked into Australia's capabilities within the industry, it looked into our science education and it proposed recommendations that would benefit the industry. To the credit of former Minister Kim Carr, he has taken this on board and has also been a passionate advocate who has put a lot of effort into advancing Australia's space sector. Recently the Labor government has established initiatives such as the Space Policy Unit, the Australian Space Research Program, a dedicated website at www.space.gov.au and the Space Industry Innovation Council, and it has undertaken an audit of Australia's space activity. We recently saw the release of seven guiding principles for the development of a national space policy. This will set the framework for the policy and ensure that a vision is set in place for future generations who want to work in the space industry here in Australia. I trust that the work being done now will continue Australia's progress in the space sector and provide greater opportunities for the many young people who are interested in space science and those who will benefit from space technologies. Following the Labor government's commitment to the space science industry, the government is stepping up its contribution in all areas of the industry. Part of this contribution is getting students involved in science and maths. Flinders University has received around $1 million from the Australian Space Research Program for the project titled Place and Space: Perspectives in Earth Observations—or, as named by Flinders University, Project21. Australia's space industry employs more than 8,000 people and there is great potential for this to grow. This program is an excellent way to build the next generation of scientists and engineers who can move into the space science field and benefit from the use of satellite and other space technologies. The project, which is supported by many organisations and government bodies, will look to use data observation technology to allow students who are interested in science and engineering to focus on science in their SACE research project. This will attract students to research issues that are meaningful to them. The data will be obtained from high-tech aeroplanes and instrumentation as they plan missions and analyse results. The aim of the project is to get hold of students who are interested in science, maths and engineering whilst they are still at school and to expose them to real projects so that they may consider turning their interest into a career. The research project will appeal to students who are interested in space science and engineering and it will benefit students who are interested in important real-life issues. For example, students can conduct research in precision agriculture, the controlling of feral camel populations, Indigenous archaeology, thermal efficiency of homes and bushfire risk management. The SACE Board of South Australia sent out a media release on the launch of Project21 on 27 September, highlighting Craigmore High School student Morgan Purdy's desire to make a career in biology. She said: “I got involved in Project 21 to be more prepared for the Research Project, as I’m interested in a career with a focus on biology. “I’m researching the management of Port River dolphins, using thermal imagery to detect the surface temperature of the water to determine whether the dolphin’s habitat changes from winter to summer.” I am very pleased that this is an avenue for students like Morgan to further their interest in their desired career path. The director of Project21, Professor Martin Westwell, has great hope that these students will progress into a science, maths or engineering career and become those very high-skilled individuals that we are demanding not just in the space industry but also in other technological areas. Professor Westwell believes this program, through the use and demand of our space technologies, will generate the next generation of scientists, who may even tackle many of the wider issues that have arisen such as the impacts of climate change. In reality, the options are endless with many differing areas where these students can progress into working within or in conjunction with our space sector. It is also important to recognise the significant contribution that these students will be able to make to our economy if they continue into a career in space science. It is not about putting man on the moon, but about real value—for example, productivity in agriculture, measuring levels of carbon dioxide, or even bushfire risk management. This is where our future lies—that is, in high-tech, high-skilled space technology, science and engineering industries that will play a part in our daily lives. The Labor government recognises the enormous economic value of space and how these programs can inspire students to take on space-related careers in science and engineering or to utilise the technology. For example, in terms of economic value, earth observations from space are considered to be the single most important and richest source of environmental information in Australia. It is estimated that earth observations yielded at least $3.3 billion in economic benefits for the Australian economy in 2008-09. In the agriculture, mining and construction industries, the gross benefits of space technology are predicted to range between $829 million and $1.5 billion each year. Looking specifically at PNT technologies—that is, precision, navigation and timing technologies for tasks such as asset mapping—between $435 million and $870 million per annum and capital saving costs of up to $2.3 billion are made. This shows the real value of earth observation technology in many scientific areas. Thankfully this Labor government, through the Australian Space Research Program, will provide an avenue for students to get involved in science. The opportunities in space science technology will always remain strong, because without it we would not be able to use GPS technology, communicate through modern technologies or obtain data for environmental observation. It is pleasing to note that South Australia is considered a future centre for space science. Getting kids to look at a career in space science could lead us to a new wave of innovative technology that will make our day-to-day lives more efficient. Technology development will have the potential to increase our GDP. For example, GPS-like technology could raise our GDP by somewhere in the region of $6 billion to $12 billion by 2030. For a farmer or a mining company, GPS technology will allow precision technology to play a greater role in their operations, considering the technology has the potential to have an accuracy of two centimetres. Furthermore, satellite technology will continue to play a huge part in global communications. This is an industry currently worth over $90 billion globally. Project21 will continue to inspire the imagination of young people and provide these students with the pathway to a career. Perhaps one day they will be part of a world-leading technology. I know this Labor government is committed to supporting the development of Australia's skills and capabilities in industries of the future such as in space. I once again congratulate Flinders University on receiving this grant, as their efforts in this program will produce the next batch of scientist and engineers who will work in space science and other areas of national significance.