Question Time AU

General Debate

Space Industry

House of Representatives · Monday 7 September 2026

Official Hansard for this day (APH) · Read this debate on OpenAustralia

At a glance

The debate centred on a motion moved by the Labor Party commending the Government's Statement on Space. The mover highlighted strategic frameworks and investments in sovereign capability. Opposition members criticised the motion for lacking specific funding commitments and cited previous budget cuts to space programs. They also raised concerns about regulatory delays affecting regional launch sites and the impact of tax changes on startups. A Labor member supported the motion by detailing the benefits of supercomputing infrastructure for research and health.

Outcome

The motion was not put to a vote during the recorded debate.

Summary in reported speech - not a transcript. AI-generated, so check the official record before quoting.

How the debate unfolded

Opened the debate

Steve Georganas (Adelaide) (Australian Labor Party) ALP

Georganas moved the motion to commend the Government's Statement on Space, arguing it provided a clear strategic framework for industry growth. Georganas highlighted $170 million in investment through the National Reconstruction Fund and increased funding for the Australian Space Agency. Georganas noted that these measures supported sovereign space services and strengthened national resilience. Georganas cited local companies in Lot Fourteen, such as Inovor and Southern Launch, as examples of industry success. The member argued that space technology underpins daily life, from agriculture to telecommunications, and that the statement boosted confidence for Australian businesses.

Opposition response

Aaron Violi (Casey) (Liberal Party) Liberal

Violi argued that the motion was empty because it listed no tangible funding from the current government. Violi claimed the Government had cut $1.16 billion from the National Space Mission for Earth Observation, which would have created over 500 jobs. Violi stated that other programs, including the Australian Spaceports program and the Moon to Mars program, were also defunded. Violi criticised the Government's capital gains tax changes, arguing they would impose a 47 per cent tax rate on tech startups when they exit. Violi asserted that the Prime Minister and Treasurer lacked private sector experience and had broken promises regarding tax policy.