Joint media release with NSW Minister for Primary Industries, Regional Water, and Trade and Industry, The Hon Niall Blair MLC

The New South Wales space sector is being boosted with the development of new space manufacturing capability and the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Australian Space Agency and Berejiklian Government.

To kick start momentum under the MoU, the Morrison Government is investing $2 million to support world class space manufacturing capability at the Western Sydney Aerotropolis to boost and transform the local and national space industry.

Federal Minister for Industry, Science and Technology Karen Andrews said the funding would complement the MoU, which outlines key industry and infrastructure opportunities that will bring massive benefits to the state and national space economies.

“The Coalition is committed to taking our space industry to the next level, and working closely with the Berejiklian Government will assist us to achieve this mission,” Minister Andrews said.

“We are contributing $2 million to support the development of infrastructure to help startups and SMEs in Western Sydney deliver future space manufacturing capability.

“The Liberal National Government established the Australian Space Agency last year and is investing $53 million over four years to grow the Australian space industry.

“Investments into Australia’s burgeoning industries are part of our plan to grow the economy and help reach our target of creating 1.25 million jobs in the next five years.”

The Australian Space Agency will work with the NSW Government on the design and development of infrastructure for the Aerotropolis for start-ups, SMEs and researchers to deliver future space manufacturing capability.

NSW Minister for Trade and Industry Niall Blair said the MoU and space manufacturing capability supports the development of a world class space sector in the state.

“Facilities such as these support the development of high-tech skills for the space sector, provide infrastructure to support the development of new space objects, and will be the central hub around which new space start-ups and SMEs come together.”

“There’s a lot of potential at the Western Sydney Aerotropolis, which could be the central hub around which new space startups and SMEs could collaborate.

Head of the Australian Space Agency, Dr Megan Clark AC said the agreement and facilities will help to grow and develop our national space industry.

“The Australian Space Agency is pleased to be a part of growing a significant global aerospace presence in Western Sydney,” said Dr Clark.

The project will be undertaken in partnership with the New South Wales Government, which will also contribute funding.

The Liberal National Government’s future plan for Australia’s economy includes an aim to triple the size of Australia’s space sector to $12 billion and create up to 20,000 new jobs by 2030, and this will be aided by expansion of the NSW space industry.

The Australian Space Agency is partnering with the states and territories to grow the national space sector and more MoUs are expected to follow.

The Aerotropolis project would be conducted in collaboration between the Federal and New South Wales governments.

Media contact: Minister Andrews' office 02 6277 7070