Minister for Resources and Northern Australia Madeleine King has launched a new 10-year strategy for trusted geoscientific agency Geoscience Australia as the organisation celebrates its 25th anniversary and 80 years of geological and geophysical science in Australia.

Back in 1946, Labor Prime Minister Ben Chifley created the Bureau of Mineral Resources, Geology and Geophysics to support and invigorate Australia’s post war mining industries. 

Geoscience Australia was launched in 2001, taking over that work and combining it with mapping, positioning and satellite data services.

“Geoscience Australia and its predecessors have underpinned our nation’s prosperity for decades, ensuring we have a prosperous economy and as well as unlocking resources that drive local jobs,” Minister King said.

“Chifley’s decision in 1946 supported the great expansion of Australia’s post-war mining and petroleum industries that have helped build Australia’s modern economic prosperity.

“The Albanese Government has long realised the importance of ensuring we have accurate and reliable geoscience data, services and technology.

“That’s why we have invested in the $3.4 billion Resourcing Australia’s Prosperity initiative to map the continent, and the Landsat Next satellite land imaging project which builds on more than 50 years of collaboration with the United States.”

Minister King said Geoscience Australia is looking to the future with its new decadal strategy which will help Australia navigate challenges including the transition to net zero, resource security and sustainable development.

The Shaping Our Future: Geoscience Australia Strategy 2026—2036 will focus on five key areas:

• unlocking Australia’s minerals, energy and groundwater resource potential;
• accurate positioning and navigation services;
• Earth observation data;
• land, marine and coastal mapping; and 
• monitoring and modelling disaster risks and impacts.

The strategy is available on the Geoscience Australia website.