New Zealand joins synchrotron project

A New Zealand representative is to join the Australian Synchrotron Project's scientific advisory committee, cementing a trans-Tasman link between users of the new facility.

NZ Prime Minister Helen Clark and Victorian Premier Stave Bracks announced they had agreed that a NZ scientist would be appointed to the committee, which is made up of synchrotron users.

Bracks said the invitation to NZ to participate on the committee was a natural step in developing a facility that would serve both nations.

"The Victorian Government has committed to the construction of the Australian Synchrotron at Monash University because it will provide a platform, for Australia and the region, for ground breaking research and development of innovations that will drive new products and new industries," Bracks said.

"The National Scientific Advisory Committee is assisting development of the performance requirements for synchrotron beamlines so we can build the optimum light source platform to meet local research needs.

"There are already strong scientific links between Australia and New Zealand, and it makes sense to include New Zealand in deliberations on the development of major new research infrastructure."

Clark said the $150 million facility, scheduled for completion in 2007, would bring benefits to both sides of the Tasman.

"I have no doubt that New Zealand researchers and the industry will wish to have access to the state of the art Australian Synchrotron when it comes on line," she said.

"There is a real opportunity for creating mutual benefit for Australia and New Zealand in terms of scientific collaboration, knowledge transfer and innovation."