The joint standing committee on treaties has held a public hearing on 14 September as part of its inquiry into the framework agreement between the government of Australia and the United States government on cooperation in aeronautics and the exploration and use of airspace and outer space for peaceful purposes.
The agreement was referred to the committee on 23 June this year and aims to establish an overarching treaty-level framework for civil cooperation between Australia and the US in aeronautics, space exploration, and the exploration and use of airspace and outer space for peaceful purposes.
Potential areas of cooperation include space exploration, space science, Earth observation and Earth science, space medicine and life sciences, aeronautics research and technology.
“The inquiry provides an opportunity to examine the practical operation of the agreement and consider how its implementation may support Australia’s economic and strategic interests,” said committee chair Lisa Chesters MP.
“The committee is interested in understanding the potential benefits, risks and implementation considerations associated with the agreement, including its implications for research collaboration, industry participation and Australia's international partnerships in the space sector.”
The US has similar agreements with more than a dozen countries, including Canada, France and New Zealand. The committee was scheduled to hear evidence from the Australian Space Agency, CSIRO, the Bureau of Meteorology, Geoscience Australia and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
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