Perhaps it is the nature of humans that we prefer to reach towards our maker, somewhere out there in the vast expansive universe, than to being content with our mere, limited, mortal selves.   

The establishment of the National Space Agencies will certainly cater to this calling and inspire young scientist to want to contribute towards the most romantic and dramatic of all sciences, space science.  But space and time are relative phenomena.

Across the ocean is now across the road.  Big Brother in the bedroom is now a satellite eye in the sky.  The Earth is indeed a global village openly connected through the internet and the World Wide Web.

Now we reach the next phase which is an interlinked and interactive network of independent content providers from around the globe sourcing information from satellites configured in such a way that they communicate with others participating in the system.

In the goals of this Bill it is envisaged that it will create space technologies that ensure independence from other technologies. 

Why?  If all are working for the common good and align ourselves with the International Earth Observation System of System (GEOSS) which aims to make Earth observation a global public good accessible to all? 

The 9 societal areas that could benefit from aligning with GEOSS are disaster, health, energy, climate, water, weather, ecosystems, agriculture and biodiversity.  

We are all children of Gaia, mother earth, susceptible to the impact of climate change, and perhaps never before has the world needed to co-operate in its response in these areas.  We are not exactly front runners in the space race and we heard yesterday how we are failing miserably to protect our indigenous knowledge.  While we reach for new heights let us not ignore what is under our feet.

For the satellite information to be useful to Government, superb co-ordination among various departments will be required and that is repeatedly recognized as one of our major failings.  Mr Cronin's idea of an administrative committee that co-ordinates Government business or the IFP's proposal of a President and Executive Prime Minister dedicated to managing Government business, could add immense value to the way our country operates, linking the macro to the micro and one department to another.

No amount of space specialists will enhance the state of our students in maths and science.  Hence, the ability to convert inspiration, through perspiration to aspiration and qualification will remain a major challenge of this Bill.

I thank you.