Newly appointed Minister for Innovation, Resources, and Science Tim Ayres is also taking on responsibility for Australia’s space industry, and early indicators suggest he may be invested in the sector.
Ayres says his portfolio is about creating jobs, furthering economic resilience and capturing investment in industrial capability. He said his role is to help create the kind of economy, society, and industrial capability that Australia will need in its future.
In the first Albanese government, Ayres was the assistant minister for trade and a Future Made in Australia.
The previous Albanese government did not show a high degree of interest in space. Among other things, they axed an AUD7 billion satellite program that would have resulted in a sovereign satellite capability.
But Ayres, in his first address to department staff, referenced space and, in particular, Queensland’s Gilmour Space.
“I got off the phone this morning from the boss of Gilmour Space who are about to launch, in just a few days, a rocket in what will be a really important milestone for Australia,” he said. “I don’t know whether that rocket will launch, how long it will launch for, whether it will achieve its orbital objective – that’s not the point. If it doesn’t, they will learn.”
“That’s part of the process for them. I don’t want there to be a bar set that this rocket has to achieve orbit on the first go. That is an extraordinary achievement, and I passed on to him the government’s congratulations for all of that work and really the best of luck to them. That is important, and so is the work of the Australian Space Agency in building that sector.”
Opportunity for a space reset
The re-election offers the government the opportunity to reset its approach to space. The Australian space sector lacks funding and investment from government. Additionally, there is no national space strategy and little leadership or vision. Ayres can change that.
The Space Industry Association of Australia welcomed Ayres’ appointment and said he brings a wealth of highly relevant experience to the portfolio.
“Space is not only a driver of economic growth but also a strategic enabler of national resilience, productivity, and international influence,” the association said. “We look forward to working closely with Minister Ayres to ensure that Australia can harness the many opportunities of space to deliver a competitive, productive and resilient Australia.”
But the SIAA also said there is a need to unify civil and defence space activities under a long-term national space policy and invest in sovereign missions that address Australia’s unique needs.
“Opportunities presented by international cooperation with partners in the region can be unlocked through more direct funding, and the activation of the Technology Safeguards Agreement with the United States will bolster new commercial launch and return opportunities. These initiatives are not just about space – they are about securing Australia’s future prosperity, safety, and position as a trusted partner in the region.”
For its part, Gilmour Space thanked the minister for the shout-out. “We look forward to working with the department to position Australia as a competitive and valued player in the global space industry,” the company said.
