Gravity Discovery Centre- Funding

Submitted by Lynn MacLaren on Mon, 20/09/2010 - 14:34
Question Without Notice No. 268 asked in the Legislative Council on 20 May 2010 by Hon Lynn Maclaren

Parliament: 38 Session: 1


GRAVITY DISCOVERY CENTRE — FUNDING

268. Hon LYNN MacLAREN to the Leader of the House representing the Minister for Science and Innovation:

In relation to the government’s refusal to fund the Gravity Discovery Centre in this budget, as reported The West Australian yesterday —

(1) Is the minister aware that a program for groups of Indigenous students from remote areas of Western Australia to take special education enrichment courses in astronomy at the Gravity Discovery Centre will be cut if the GDC is forced to close?

(2) Is the minister aware that this program has received funding of approximately $1 million from the federal government and is co-funded by the Polly Farmer Foundation?

(3) Is the minister aware that there is a current USA proposal to locate a $200 million gravitational wave observatory at the Gingin site, and the existence of the Gravity Discovery Centre is a key component of this observatory?

(4) Is the minister aware that India, China, Italy, France and Germany propose joining the gravitational observatory project?

(5) Does the government value international cooperation and scientific research?

Hon NORMAN MOORE replied:

I thank the member for some notice of this question.

(1)–(5) Yes, the government is in negotiations with those managing the Gravity Discovery Centre on ways to ensure the facility both remains open and viable for future operation.





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