National Benefits

Australian astronomy already has an outstanding international reputation but complacency will be deadly given the rate of technology developments today and we risk being marginalized if we cannot participate in the international projects currently being planned. It is imperative that we continue to contribute at the higest level of astronomical research and that our status in the local community and in the intrernational arena is raised further. Our national benefit will surely come from the next generation of scientists and from the innovation of the current experienced astronomers. This network will ensure our newly trained postgraduate students continue to find positions in the top overseas institutions. This will be achieved by the impact of the International Visitor Program and an expanded annual graduate school (building on the existing Harley Wood School) which will showcase our students to the top researchers invited here as presenters. The Visitors will also be given an opportunity to spend some time visiting our research groups to forge now collaborations so that Australia becomes a prefered destination for overseas young postdocs. This will enrich and diversify our research programs.

The network will also provide productive tools and support the operation of several major facilities, both existing and planned, to raise the impact of Australian expertise. This will position Autralia well to be host to the next generation radio telescopes (eg LOFAR and SKA) and to build instruments for the current leading telescopes (eg GEMINI).