**Check against delivery
Good morning ladies and gentlemen.
It gives me great pleasure to be with you today to open the Geological TimeWalk.
Today, it is exactly 150 years since Charles Darwin's book, On the Origin of Species, was published.
His theory on natural selection was highly controversial at the time.
It contradicted the popular theory of divine design.
As a biologist, Charles Darwin was a trail blazer.
Most people associate his name with biology and evolution.
But he was also a keen geologist, particularly early in his career.
Darwin's interest in geology helped to shape his scientific thinking and provided a solid foundation for his theory on evolution.
I have no doubt that Charles Darwin would be impressed by the exhibition Geoscience Australia has developed - and which I am very pleased to be opening today.
It is very fitting that the TimeWalk marks the anniversary of Charles Darwin's historic book.
It will provide people of all ages with an educational journey.
A journey that is just over one kilometre in distance and just over four and a half billion years.
It's a unique journey that adds a simple physical dimension to help us appreciate the length of time, and the complexity of the evolution of planet Earth.
The TimeWalk highlights that the evolution of modern man took place in the last five centimetres of this TimeWalk.
It also highlights that most of Australia's mineral resources and wealth were created some twelve-hundred-million years ago.
Neil tells me that, in terms of the TimeWalk, this time period occurs between the crest of the hill opposite and the bus stop near the building.
As Minister for Tourism, I am very pleased to see some of Australia's most recognisable tourism attractions represented, including the Warrumbungles, the Flinders Ranges, the Great Barrier Reef and Uluru.
This is an opportunity for visitors to Canberra to gain a unique understanding of Australia's geological history.
I particularly welcome this exhibit and I especially hope visiting school groups will take advantage of it.
For those people who can't visit this new educational landmark, I'm pleased that they will be able to get information from Geoscience Australia's website to help them create a TimeWalk in their own communities.
It is with great pleasure that I officially open Geoscience Australia's new Geological TimeWalk.