After that very beautiful ceremony to welcome us here to Gadigal land, I would like to acknowledge the Gadigal people of the Eora nation, the traditional custodians of the lands we meet on. I’d like to pay my respects to their elders, past and present, and emerging and to all First Nations people who are joining us at the Congress, from all over the world.
For Australians It’s a great source of pride to see that continuing connection to the culture, land, waters and skies brought to life on this stage this morning. In my office in Government House in Canberra, I have very many things that I share with visitors including a number of books about the first astronomers. Visitors to Australia and to Canberra, are always delighted to see us celebrtating our First Nations, who go back 65,000 years in this country.
Acknowledgements:
- The Honourable Chris Minns MP, Premier of New South Wales
- The Honourable Anoulack Chanthivong MP, NSW Minister for Industry and Trade
- Mr Clay Mowry, President of the International Astronautical Federation
- Enrico Palermo, Head of the Australian Space Agency
- Mr Jeremy Hallett, Chair of the Space Industry Association of Australia,
I also want to acknowledge John Saxon OAM, Michael Dinn OAM and Graeme Stephens AC and I use their post nominals very particularly because this this year they have all received recognition through the Australian honours system and are participating in the Congress.
I also acknowledge Katherine Bennell-Pegg, Australia’s first astronaut and to all the astronauts who are here joining us. I will say something shortly about John, Michael, Graeme and Katherine. This history has made me feel very attached to the history of space.
I think space is something grand. It’s an adventure.
But to hear the space story told in the intimate and personal stories of those that are coming on the stage this morning is really very beautiful. I want to acknowledge all of those who are telling their story, the people’s story of Australia’s space history.
I also want to acknowledge, as your Commander-in-Chief here in Australia, the many senior members of the Australian Defence Force who join us, Ministers and members of Parliament from over 40 nations, the Heads of space agencies from around the world, and the many First Nations experts who are in the room who will be attending many of the sessions that you'll be attending later in the program.
And of course, every one of you is a distinguished guest here, whether you've travelled across the world or simply across the harbor to join us, you are all incredibly distinguished guests at this Congress.
Beyond celebrating the past, I want to congratulate the IAC 2025 team for looking to the future.
Tonight, the Plenary is dedicated to elevating First Nations knowledge systems and unlocking new insights into space and sustainability through structured collaboration with Western science.
Braiding millennia-old custom, lore and practice with modernity is a compelling manifestation of Australia’s unique, three-part national story, and with so many international guests joining us, I want to take a moment to share with you that extraordinary, strong, successful, and brave story.
It starts as you now know with 65,000 years of continuous Indigenous history and culture that echoes across the country in the generous and purposeful sharing of First Nations people …
… then joined by the stability, equality and prosperity assured by the strength of our democracy and institutions of government, the fact that we have parliaments, that we have an Independent Electoral Commission, that we have compulsory voting, that we have Governors-General…
… and then our modern chapter of optimism, of belonging and of progress, underpinned by remarkable multiculturalism, over 8 million people joining to become Australian citizens in the last 50 years, and almost a million refugees today.
As we launch the 76th International Astronomical Congress, where the world space community comes together to access the latest advancements and trends, to listen, to learn, to be curious, to connect and collaborate.
You are all looking to the future, not just space and the world, but to the next chapter of my country, of Australia.
A story of modernity and belonging, of care and respect, where we are shaped by the magnificent achievements of our history, unbound by limitations and ready to explore the universe.
I would like to especially welcome international guests.
That 90 nations are represented here says so much about the opportunities that this Congress will bring.
I know that for many of you it is ‘welcome back’ after IAC Adelaide in 2017.
But as you already heard, the Australian space ecosystem of today is very different to the one displayed in Adelaide just less than a decade ago.
It’s a richer, more dynamic sector – bubbling with momentum, activity and success.
I think that reflects our national character and the mood of the nation as well.
I hope many of you will visit the Australia Zone on the exhibition floor, across the course of the week - more than 1,200 square metres of innovation and inspiration – to see the rapid capability uplift we have experienced in recent years.
For those of you who were in Adelaide for IAC 2017, I think you’ll be somewhat astonished at just how significant our growth has been.
There are 40 active industry projects being supported by our Australian Space Agency alone.
This is in addition to the activity being driven out of our world class research institutions, universities and organisations like our national science agency, CSIRO.
For our international guests, I want to share with you something that we love to reflect on in Australia. It’s our Bureau of Meteorology, the CSIRO and Geoscience Australia that are amongst some of the most trusted national institutions, by the people of this nation.
Australians trust science. We advocate for it and create an environment where it flourishes.
We care about our institutions, and that care – for civics, for our future and for how we treat one another is at the heart of our stability and, we believe, our potential for the future.
Alongside all of you, those values help unlock practical advancements.
Since many of you last visited, Australia has restored our status as a spacefaring nation, with a range of historic launches and returns.
From NASA sending rockets in the top end to commercial launches and returns down South, as well as our home-grown rocket development and launch efforts.
Australia’s geographic advantages are well known and are obvious … but through coordinated efforts we are positioning Australia as a regional launch and returns hub.
This builds on our very proud history that you’ll continue to hear about this morning.
When I was sworn-in as Australia’s 28th Governor-General in July 2024, I reflected on the tremendous optimism I feel for Australia.
I mentioned in my speech to the Parliament, when I was sworn in, a range of recent achievements by Australians across the arts, sport, science and research, diplomacy sectors.
The one I love to mention though – and it was wonderful to do so in the Parliament, and to mention her by name – was Katherine Bennell-Pegg, Australia’s first woman astronaut. Something important for me as only the second woman Governor-General – she was the first person to train as an astronaut under the Australian flag.
I’m so pleased she’s here today, along with all of the global astronauts, because I know that there are young people – girls and boys – all around Australia who have been inspired by Katherine.
I saw it again yesterday when I saw coverage of a visit to our air show in Richmond, to see little people, young Australians who now are interested and curious about space.
I hear from them wherever I go now – Katherine is far from alone as a role model and inspiration.
In recent months, I’ve had the opportunity to see first-hand Australia’s half-century story of partnership in deep space communication, navigation and mission support.
Just last week I had the honour of presenting Distinguished Professor Graeme Stephens AC with the Companion for the Order of Australia – our highest national honour – at an investiture ceremony at Government House. Professor Stephens is the Director at the Centre for Climate Sciences within the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory.
His impact extends well beyond his own research, spanning observations, theory and numerical modelling and ranging from detailed mathematics and physics of light to big-picture descriptions of the climate system.
Similarly, as I indicated at the beginning, at investiture ceremonies earlier this year it was my great honour to meet John Saxon OAM and Michael Dinn OAM.
John was on the console at Honeysuckle Creek Manned Spaceflight Tracking Station the day Neil Armstrong walked on the moon.
Michael is the last surviving Tracking Station Director or Deputy Director of an Australian station to be involved in the Apollo moon landings.
To say that I and others were overwhelmed by the chance to absorb the first-hand accounts of people present for some of the most historic moments of the 20th century is an understatement.
Being part of history, what was compelling about both John and Michael was not just what they’ve done, but their passion. Both fervent supporters of education and outreach, they have spent their entire lives inspiring others.
That's why I'm enjoying this the stories this morning on stage. We feel that same inspiration of those who are part of Australia's history, and I hope that perhaps some of the Australians in the room today began their own careers marvelling at space and the work of people like Graham, John and Michael that we celebrate.
That we celebrate these remarkable individuals through our national honours system says a lot about the prestige that Australia places on space.
Given the momentum in our space industry, I look forward to many more people being recognised in years to come – both to celebrate their individual achievements and to recognise the critical importance of the world of so many who give their lives to our future and to space.
So, I have highlighted just a few individuals, I know and appreciate that nothing in this industry, is an individual endeavour. Behind, and with, any single person is a team.
Similarly, Australia’s momentum in space has been realised through working with our international partners.
Australia is truly and rightfully proud of our capacity to come together, to work in partnership and together achieve great things.
That’s how we think of mateship, and we’re in the next chapter of a half-century story of partnership in deep space communication, navigation and mission support.
Since IAC 2017, when the Australian Space Agency was announced, we’ve been focused on building on our geographic advantage – investing in the infrastructure, capability, people and partnerships that ensure we are now primed to be an even more active collaborator.
In a shifting global environment, we believe Australia remains an experienced, trusted and capable partner in space.
We see this through growing partnerships with the United States, the European Space Agency our ongoing work to connect the Indo-Pacific region – through long time partners like Japan and India, as well as new collaborations, very importantly, with our very special neighbours in the Pacific.
I very much enjoyed meeting Dr. Hiroshi Yamakawa, the President of Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency on my recent visit to Japan to celebrate Australia Day at World Expo Osaka. I’m hoping to see Dr Yamakawa again during his visit and continue our discussions that we began that night.
It’s also very special to welcome Minister Paea from the Solomon Islands – Minister for Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management and Meteorology to IAC this week. As potentially the biggest benefactors of space technologies, it’s vital the Pacific has a seat and a voice at these very important tables. The Minister is among several leaders from the Pacific joining us, and we look to bring more voices into regional and global space discussions.
So, with all of that behind me, thank you, for all attending the 76th International Astronautical Congress.
The program – its scale, the calibre of speakers, the attendees, all of you, those that are yet to join us, and the members of the public that will come on this week. It’s astonishing. It’s remarkable. I’m very proud as Australia’s Governor-General. I get to stand here on behalf of all Australians to congratulate you all, congratulate all the organizers, and welcome all of you who have come so far, and sometimes not so far, to be here at IMC.
I'm eager to hear about what you achieve, and for that to become a part of the stories that Australians will tell at the end of this Congress.
I hope you take the energy of this morning to the rest of the Congress, back home, to all of your nations, your families – those that are missing you at the moment – and tell the great stories in Australia.
And let's look forward to a wonderful, sustainable, peaceful future in Space.
Thank You.