Joint media release with Minister for Resources and Northern Australia, Senator the Hon Matt Canavan

Earth and marine observation could be worth $2 trillion to Australia and the rest of the Asia-Pacific by 2030, according to a ground-breaking new report from the Federal Government released today.

The report shows Earth and marine observing is currently worth $29 billion to Australia and $543 billion to APEC economies. The value to Australia is forecast to increase to $96 billion by 2030, or $101 billion if Australia makes the most of opportunities to collaborate with other APEC economies.

Earth and marine observing is the collection, analysis and interpretation of information on the Earth’s natural systems and has broad applications in disaster management, mining and agriculture.

Minister for Industry, Science and Technology Karen Andrews launched the report at the 2019 Group on Earth Observations (GEO) Week in Canberra.

“Digital technologies using Earth observation data are changing the way we live and work and offer opportunities to deliver enormous economic growth and job creation across a variety of industries,” Minister Andrews said.

“This data can be used to improve transport logistics, increase agricultural productivity and predict weather changes to improve natural disaster response.

“This report further emphasises how embracing digital technologies will help to grow our economy, create local jobs and benefit everyday Australians.”

The report also found there was an extra $183 billion in value to be realised by 2030 if the APEC regions works together.

Minister for Resources and Northern Australia Matt Canavan is hosting the international GEO Week Ministerial Summit, welcoming representatives from more than 40 countries.

Minister Canavan said earth and marine observation plays a critical role in the mining industry, where collaboration in new technologies is critical to unlocking new growth.

“In mining exploration, this technology can generate topographic maps or detect oil seeps from deep water petroleum reserves,” Minister Canavan said.

“Our resources sector is amongst the best in the world and a leader in adopting new technology to boost exploration and productivity.

“This technology has huge potential for Northern Australia, helping us to unlock and harness previously untapped resources in remote parts of the country.

“The report estimates that the current economic value of Earth and marine observation to our mining industry is $4 billion. We want to grow that even further so we can keep creating jobs and wealth for Australians on the back of advancing technology.”

The Government has also invested $36.9 million in Digital Earth Australia, which uses satellite technology to produce useful information in areas such as soil and coastal erosion, land-use, resource management and the availability of water. This investment is part of the Government’s broader plan to use Earth observation and mapping technology to create new opportunities and grow the economy.

The full report Current and future economic value of Earth and marine observing to the Asia-Pacific region report can be accessed from industry.gov.au/APECEMOreport

Media contacts:

Minister Andrews' office 02 6277 7070

Minister Canavan's office 02 6277 7180