- Published:
- Saturday 15 September 2018
The Andrews Labor Government is stepping up its campaign for the Australian Space Agency – releasing the Victoria: The Place for Space proposal.
Minister for Industry and Employment Ben Carroll today visited Opaque Media Group – one of the 250 Victorian companies involved in the space industry – to launch the proposal, which forms part of Victoria’s bid for the agency.
Victoria: The Place for Space highlights Victoria’s space credentials – including the fact that the industry employs around 2,300 people and generates more than $400 million in revenue for the Victorian economy every year.
Victoria has an extensive aerospace sector – including world-class research and development centres, seven engineering schools, leading space data analytic capabilities and superior advanced manufacturing expertise.
Victoria is also a leader in science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) education, from the Victorian Space Science Education Centre to Australia’s top engineering and technology universities.
Major Australian space-related science and technology companies are based in Victoria, including Lockheed Martin, Thales, Boeing and BAE Systems and our international network of Trade and Investment Offices will ensure that the biggest industry names continue to invest in Victoria.
The size of Victoria’s space industry and our expertise in advanced manufacturing and research and development make Victoria the perfect location to base the manufacturing and development functions of the agency.
Australia’s space sector is expected to triple over the next decade, meaning Victoria’s space sector could potentially create up to 4,000 new jobs and boost the economy by $1.3 billion.
Opaque has developed the award-winning virtual reality Earthlight spacewalk which simulates repair missions on the International Space Station – in consultation with NASA who now use the program to train its astronauts.
Opaque Media Group also provides virtual reality training programs for Boeing and will benefit from a grant from the Labor Government’s Defence Industry Supply Chain Program to help the business secure more high value contracts in aerospace, defence and national security.
For more information on Victoria: The Place for Space visit economicdevelopment.vic.gov.au.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Industry and Employment Ben Carroll
“Our bid for the Australian Space Agency is all about Victorian Jobs and the future of our economy.”
“We’re already a leader in aerospace research and development – which makes us an obvious choice to help coordinate national and international collaboration on space.”
“Companies like Opaque Media Group who have worked in collaboration with NASA are another example of the specialist expertise we have in Victoria and sets us apart from the rest of the pack.”