The Minister for Industry, Science and Technology, Mr John Moore, today joined forces with Sir Arvi Parbo to open a new minerals research laboratory in Clayton, Victoria.

CSIRO Acting Chief Executive, Dr John Radcliffe, told guests at the opening ceremony that the new laboratory was a milestone in CSIRO's major building program. CSIRO had been giving particular emphasis to upgrading its laboratory facilities.

"Excellent facilities are an essential ingredient of excellent science. If Australia wants to retain its seat at the table of international scientific excellence, then its researchers need leading edge facilities," Dr Radcliffe said.

He said that the new Minerals laboratory was an important step in the development of the Clayton site, which is one of the major concentrations of CSIRO research in Australia.

"Seven research Divisions are now based on this site, with over 800 scientists and support staff, covering a very wide range of disciplines," he said.

"CSIRO Minerals has led many projects delivering significant economic gains to Australian industry and to Australia as a whole. The Minister's announcement today of a major commercialisation agreement is the latest in a series of successful CSIRO collaborations with industry consortia."

Contact : Rob Hill 03 9545 8500
Andrea Boothroyd 03 9545 8500 0417 304 822