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Good evening ladies and gentlemen and thank you for the opportunity to be with you this evening.
It is good to see so many have made the trip to Canberra for this conference.
As the Minister for Tourism, I am always pleased to see business events such as this making an important contribution to Australian tourism.
I must say that, in the time I have been the Minister responsible for Geoscience Australia, I have learnt a lot about the important contribution 'spatial technology' makes to our lives and the opportunities it presents for the future.
It is a fascinating area of technology that is moving ahead in leaps and bounds and one in which Australia is a recognised world leader.
GPS technology is now found in almost every car and mobile phone and the use of online maps is commonplace.
And spatial technology has a lot more to offer business and government than the promise of not getting lost.
The Geo-coded National Address File, for example, is a data set created by PSMA Australia Ltd, a conference sponsor.
This File is being used by governments in many applications, including to support the management of swine flu.
Another conference sponsor, the West Australian Government agency Landgate, has developed the Shared Land Information Platform.
This is revolutionising the way information is used and shared, linking 300 data sets from more than 20 government agencies.
This Platform was an award winner at the 2008 Asia Pacific Spatial Excellence Awards, reflecting its place at the leading edge of spatial technology.
This conference provides an opportunity for many technology developers to share experiences and knowledge, and to further the use of spatial technology in real world applications.
As Minister for Resources and Energy, I have seen first hand the efficiencies gained in mine sites from high-precision navigation capabilities.
Australia's early adoption of Global Navigation Satellite Systems has helped make us one of the most efficient resource producers in the world in many ways, for example by increasing the accuracy of seismic and drilling surveys.
Spatial data and GPS have allowed the mechanisation of many mine activities, including the transport of ore and therefore productivity has improved along with mine safety.
Spatial technologies also enable the use of "selective mining technology" which can position a mechanised shovel in exactly the right place to maximise ore extraction.
A recent Allen Consulting study noted that selective mining is being used by about 15 per cent of open cut mines in Australia.
There are tremendous productivity gains available using this approach and more than half Australia's mines are potential candidates for the technology.
The resources sector is not alone in making the most of spatial technology.
It is also helping the tourism industry, my other portfolio responsibility.
Spatial technology is becoming an essential service for remote four-wheel drive tourism.
I am also pleased to report that Australian Government agencies with social responsibilities are increasingly turning to location-based approaches to better focus program delivery.
For example, predictive modelling can be used to assess health requirements by area or region, thereby helping to plan the long-term deployment of health infrastructure to maximise its utility for regional communities.
I am particularly proud of the part that Geoscience Australia is playing in the development of what will soon be regarded as an essential capability in any advanced economy.
In conclusion - I would like to congratulate the organisers of this conference. I applaud your work in supporting government through the development and deployment of this technology.
Thank you.