Review of Australia's regulation of space activities: Space Activities Act 1998

Description

Professor Freeland has for several years been Australia’s representative at the legal subcommittee meeting of the United National Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (UNCOPUOS) in Vienna, and has advised the Australian Commonwealth Department of Industry, Innovation and Science, and the New Zealand Government, on issues related to the regulation of space activities.

He was also a member of the Government appointed Expert Reference Group that made recommendations about the establishment of the Australian Space Agency, and the way forward for Australia in terms of space industry capability and strategy.

In 2015, Professor Freeland was asked to assist the Government in a review of the Space Activities Act 1998, and presented his report to Government in August 2016. The amendment Bill, which has been introduced to Parliament this week, incorporates options and concepts included in Professor Freeland’s recommendations.

“This Bill is in line with the need to streamline the licence application process; to update of the scope of the law to take account of new technologies; and the reduction of the financial burdens imposed on applicants,” says Professor Freeland.

“The Bill provides an important regulatory framework, which will further reduce barriers to participation and encourage investment and industry innovation in space activities.”

Period	2015 → 2016
Work for	Australian Commonwealth Department of Industry, Innovation and Science, Australia
Degree of Recognition	National