A Space Industry Innovation Council will be established to give the Australian Government strategic advice as it develops a national space policy and boosts support for space science and technology.

Senator Kim Carr, Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research, said in a statement announcing the council, that it is a part of the Government's response to a Senate inquiry report tabled in the Senate.

“The council will evaluate Australia's current civil space activities, identify strengths and weaknesses, assess risks, and propose strategic priorities," Carr said. "The focus will be on Earth observation, satellite communications and navigation."

Carr said that a Space Policy Unit had already been established to run the $40 million Australian Space Research Program, which was announced last month as part of the $160 million space and astronomy Super Science Initiative in the May Budget.

He said the unit will support the work of the Space Industry Innovation Council, coordinate Australia’s national and international civil space activities and foster closer collaboration between space researchers, businesses and government agencies, both within Australia and internationally.