Victoria to host synchrotron conference in 2005

Victoria has beaten a host of other nations to win the right to stage an international synchrotron conference in 2005.

The 20th International Conference on X-ray and Inner Shell Processes conference will be held when Australia's new synchrotron is at the lock-up stage.

Victoria's Innovation Minister John Brumby announced the coup today saying that about 300 specialists in synchrotron science from as many as 30 countries were expected to attend.

He said international interest in the $157 million National Synchrotron Project had gone a long way towards helping the state secure the major scientific event.

"As well as headlining new directions in synchrotron science, the conference will provide an international platform for Victorian business and research communities to showcase their innovation strengths," Brumby said.

"At the end of the day, conference organisers wanted a location where work was well underway on a new state-of-the art synchrotron facility."

He said the Bracks government, which is chipping in $100 million to the Synchrotron project, would also contribute $150,000 towards the hosting of the conference.

Brumby said the Australian synchrotron, to be completed in 2007, would create up to 700 jobs in Victoria and contribute some $65 million annually to the state's economy.

"The Australian synchrotron will bring enormous benefits for Australian research and industry, and between now and 2007 we will be running a major information campaign highlighting the research and development opportunities it presents," he said.

"We want to spread the message that our new facility will be an important part of the global synchrotron network and greatly extend the scope of research that can be done right here in Australia."