WA misses out on space station

The state government has voiced its frustration at the Commonwealth’s decision to choose Adelaide as the home of Australia’s $41 million space agency.

Western Australia had submitted a proposal to be selected, but was unsuccessful.

Science Minister Dave Kelly said he was disappointed with the federal government’s selection.

“We think we put up a very competitive bid to have it housed here in Western Australia,” he said.

“We’re particularly surprised because the feedback we’d been getting from the Commonwealth at office level was that it was virtually certain to be housed in Canberra but that the Commonwealth would spend money in each of the states on projects depending on the viability of those projects.

Mr Kelly said the decision was made with an eye on the next federal election.

“We will still be arguing that some of the projects from the submission should be funded,” he said.

The headquarters will include 20 full-time equivalent employees.

WA Liberal senator Linda Reynolds questioned the state government’s efforts to attract the space agency to WA.

"Today is a sad day for the people of Western Australia," she said.

"The headquarters of the space agency was ours to lose and sadly the McGowan government has lost it for WA.

"It was very clear six months ago that the state government was required to provide a proposal for the headquarters to be based here in WA, but they did not."

Senator Reynolds said other states put in detailed proposals whereas the WA government's was not of the same quality.

Mr Kelly responded by releasing the government's proposal.