Federal Minister for Science and Research, Senator Chris Evans, will lead an Australian delegation to China and Italy to promote Australia’s bid to host the Square Kilometre Array (SKA).

 

The announcement by Senator Evans comes as competition between Australia-New Zealand and South Africa to host the array intensifies.

 

“Australia, and our project partner New Zealand, are more than ready to host the SKA and this visit demonstrates our commitment and determination,” Senator Evans said.

 

“The SKA will provide a unique opportunity for Australia and New Zealand to be at the cutting edge of global mega-science.
 
“It will enable scientists to probe further into the universe with more clarity than ever before.”
 
Senator Evans said the SKA telescope will capture volumes of data no project has ever dealt with - the equivalent of more than a million CD ROMs of data every minute.

 

Senator Evans said key pieces of ICT infrastructure, such as the National Broadband Network, will supplement Australia’s bid to host the world’s largest radio telescope.

 

Senator Evans also said one of Australia’s key strengths in its bid to host the SKA is its remote core site and sparsely populated interior.
 
“Radio telescopes need extremely radio-quiet conditions, yet the everyday activities of people generate radio interference,” Senator Evans said.
 
“The proposed core site in the Mid West region of WA, an incredible location where the Australian outback meets high science, has one of the lowest population densities on earth.”
 
Senator Evans has invited Western Australian Science and Innovation Minister, John Day, and New Zealand’s Economic Development Minister, Steven Joyce, to join him on the SKA delegation.