[ASA] Funding announced for SKA [SEC=UNCLASSIFIED]

[Luchetti, David]

Colleagues,

I am pleased to provide this update to Australian SKA stakeholders including members of the Astronomical Society of Australia (ASA), the ANZSCC Science Advisory Committee (SAC), the SKA Regional Stakeholders Group (RSG), the Australasian SKA Industry Cluster (ASKAIC) and Australia's SKA pre-construction consortia participants.

The Australian Government took an important step towards hosting the SKA when the Prime Minister today announced a provisional funding allocation for the project as part of its National Innovation and Science Agenda. The Agenda sets out the Government's vision for using innovation and science to drive growth, jobs and prosperity.

As part of today's announcement, $293.7 million over the next 10 years was set aside to meet Australia's initial commitment to the SKA. The allocation means that pending a successful conclusion to the Convention negotiations now underway and the development of a satisfactory business case, funding is available to meet Australia's obligations to the construction and initial operation of Phase 1 of the SKA. This final decision on Australia's involvement is expected to occur in the second half of 2016.

It is important to note that the $293.7 million in funding is not just for construction and operations. It also includes funding for domestic activities related to providing existing pre-construction consortia with additional funding, native title benefits and site entity operation.

While today's announcement is not a final commitment on Australia's involvement in SKA1, the securing of this commitment is nonetheless a very positive signal from the government of its support for the project.

Kind regards

David


David Luchetti
Australian SKA Project Director
Australian Square Kilometre Array Office
__________________________________________
Department of Industry, Innovation and Science
Level 9, 10 Binara Street, Canberra City ACT 2601
GPO Box 9839, Canberra ACT 2601
Ph: +61-2-6213 6068  Mob: +61 411 021 135
Email:  david.luchetti at industry.gov.au<mailto:david.luchetti at industry.gov.au>
Internet: www.ska.gov.au<http://www.ska.gov.au/>
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