Australia Finally Creates Its Own National Space Agency (yahoo.com)

50 years after Australia became the third country to launch a satellite into space, they had another big announcement. An anonymous reader quotes AFP: Australia on Monday committed to creating a national space agency as it looks to cash in on the lucrative and fast-evolving astronautical sector. The announcement came at a week-long Adelaide space conference attended by the world's top scientists and experts including SpaceX chief Elon Musk. It brings Canberra -- which already has significant involvement in national and international space activities -- into line with most other developed nations, which already have dedicated agencies to help coordinate the industry and shape development. "The global space industry is growing rapidly and it's crucial that Australia is part of this growth," acting science minister Michaelia Cash said in statement.
The Australian government estimates that the global space sector now drives $323 billion in revenue each year.

Comments

Re:Government has no business allocating resources

[PopeRatzo]

If it is valuable to allocate resources to activities in space, then individuals can choose to invest their own damn resources in those activities; it is not the purpose of government to make such investments for people, especially against individuals' will.

Do you feel the same way about the interstate highway system? How about waiting for individuals to create their own justice system? Oh wait, that IS what libertarians want.

There are a whole lot of things that are too big for individuals to do. It's why we need government.

Re:Government has no business allocating resources

[aussie_a]

We aren't America mate. Keep your own political ideologies to yourselves.

We're quite happy to have the government step in. Private companies have seen Australia have the worst internet infrastructure and outrageous bank fees.

We're only too happy for the government to step in and provide services such as the armed forces, medical care and education.

Of course, if you think the government has no place in the space industry you might want to tend to your own backyard first before decreeing how the rest of the world works.