Claire Clutterham (Sturt, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

The space domain is critical to defence operations and is recognised as an operational domain alongside air, land and maritime. The Australian Defence Force relies on access to space systems and information, and this reliance will only continue to grow. The military consequences of losing access to space are significant because our forces rely on space based meteorology, communications, intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, targeting, positioning, navigation and timing. That is why the recent announcement by the Albanese Labor government of a purpose-built space workforce is so important. Australians passionate about a career in the ADF can now apply for a job in the space domain, with direct entry now open for two new roles: space operations officer and space operations specialist.

Growing the ADF's capabilities in space operations is not a nice-to-have; it is essential. Australia needs a sovereign space capability, and that means a highly skilled sovereign space workforce to contribute to satellite communications and operations, missile warning, ISR, environmental monitoring and space control. This is needed to ensure access to and control of space, to counter emerging space threats and to enhance space domain awareness. This announcement is a significant step in building Australia's sovereign space workforce and strengthening Australia's sovereign space capability.

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