Thursday, 29 May 2025

Space technology research

Jeff BOURMAN (Eastern Victoria) (12:27): (938) My question is for the minister for training and skills. Swinburne University of Technology is showcasing their unique skills, capabilities and innovation in space research and technology here in Queen’s Hall this week. I hope you all went and had a look and a talk with them. Space is an industry that is projected to be worth $1 trillion by 2040. My question is: how does the government plan to invest in ensuring a strong advanced manufacturing future in Victoria, notably in the space industry?

Gayle TIERNEY (Western Victoria – Minister for Skills and TAFE, Minister for Water) (12:27): I thank Mr Bourman for his question, but I also thank him for his involvement in bringing Swinburne Institute of Technology – which was called that; now it is Swinburne University – to Queen’s Hall so that we could all have a look at their ability to showcase what they are actually doing on the variety of campuses that they are on. Can I say that this is an area that is taking sway in terms of a whole range of different research areas not just right across this country but internationally as well. One of the reasons for that is that it does develop the need for the digital skills that are going to be required in a whole range of different industries. It is not just in terms of the space industry, it is across the board, whether it be data centres or other initiatives as well. Swinburne is particularly important because of its focus on technology, and it is particularly important because it is one of our four dual-sector universities. For people who do not know, being dual sector they deliver vocational education and training; they deliver TAFE courses as well as higher education. It is a very important pathway for people to pick up skills in the TAFE area, as well as then having that pathway to higher education.

In terms of the general question you asked, it is probably more relevant to the Minister for Industry and Advanced Manufacturing. I know that Minister Brooks is particularly interested in space and space technology. I understand that Swinburne met with him as recently as yesterday. I am meeting with Swinburne this afternoon, and of course I have been a visitor to the showcase during the last couple of days. I endorse the remarks that you made in your members statement that it is really important to have that one-on-one conversation and connection with researchers who are actually at the forefront of groundbreaking research that has got major implications. But of course what I am really interested in is the application of that research, and this week has been an eye-opener, I think, for many, many people.

In terms of the investment, can I say that in terms of the government’s Economic Growth Statement that was released before Christmas last year, this industry, and advanced manufacturing in particular, was a considered to be a priority area, so I know that Minister Brooks and his department are working overtime in terms of advanced manufacturing and what that offering is in terms of the advancement of economic growth in this state. Of course you asked – (Time expired)

Jeff BOURMAN (Eastern Victoria) (12:30): I thank the minister for her answer and for passing on what she can to Minister Brooks. I am going to be a little cheeky here, seeing as how we have Swinburne here. Minister, how will you, the government, support Swinburne to realise the vision of Victoria as the leading state in space industry research and tech?

Gayle TIERNEY (Western Victoria – Minister for Skills and TAFE, Minister for Water) (12:31): This is a good question, an important question, and what I can say is it is not a matter of ‘What will you do?’, it is also a recognition of what we already have done. You will recall that we did establish the $350 million higher education investment fund for the universities, and indeed Swinburne was one of the key recipients of that money. It received $12 million directly for its AIR Hub, which was funding to create innovative materials and manufacturing processes for passenger planes and air cargo as well as the space industry. So there actually has been significant pre-seed funding as well as seed funding in terms of a whole range of things. We also provided $5.2 million for their supercomputer capability. There was also a co-investment of $87 million with five Victorian universities, including Swinburne, through the university innovation program and – (Time expired)