Government rejecting calls to pursue full membership with the European Organisation for Astronomical Research

Question

In March, it was revealed that the government had rejected calls to pursue full membership with the European Organisation for Astronomical Research in the Southern Hemisphere, also known as the European Southern Observatory. 1. Why was this decision made? 2. What effect will this decision have on Australia's domestic astronomy capability? 3. What effect will this have on Australia's international reputation as an astronomical powerhouse? 4. Will alternative access to international telescope facilities for Australian scientists be sought? 5. According to the SMH, Scientia Professor Richard Holden, a University of NSW economist, weighed up Australia's outsized contribution to astronomy and valued it at $330 million per year. By what dollar figure will this decision reduce Australia's contribution to astronomy? 6. The SMH also reported that Holden ''found investing in the ESO would boost our capabilities in electric vehicles, renewable energy, defence, 5G, satellite communications, AI and quantum computing.'' Are at least some of these areas not priorities for the government? 7. Has the government considered what effect this decision will have on research in these areas? 8. With whom did the government consult before making this decision? 9. Did the government receive representations from any astronomical organisations who supported this decision? 10. What effect will this have in reducing domestic astronomical expertise? 11. Will the government fund the Anglo-Australian Telescope beyond 2027, when Morrison-era funding runs out? 12. Is the Albanese government ideologically opposed to scientific research and astrology? 13. How else can this decision be explained?

Answer

See attached response.

Documents

• Question with answer (PDF) (opens in a new tab)
• BI-006_Payman_Membership with the European Organisation for Astronomical Research_DISR.pdf (opens in a new tab)