This event will bring together leading experts on space law and governance from the Office of International Law within the Attorney-General’s Department, the Australian Space Agency and academia to discuss the challenge of responsibly and sustainably managing outer space and its natural resources.

Speakers from the Office of International Law will discuss the application of the UN space treaties to contemporary challenges, and the Australian Space Agency will provide an update on international, regional and domestic efforts to support the safety, stability and sustainability of outer space.

Academic experts Cassandra Steer and Karlie Noon will consider lessons learnt from other legal regimes, disciplines and perspectives, including by drawing from Indigenous stories related to space, international environmental law, astro-environmentalism, and international humanitarian law.

Speakers and bios:

Kate O’Connell is a Principal Legal Officer (a/g) in the Office of International Law within the Attorney-General’s Department. In this role, Kate leads a team of government lawyers advising Commonwealth agencies on international space law, air law and human rights law issues. Kate has participated in Australian Government delegations to the UN Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space Legal Subcommittee. She holds a Masters of Law in International Law and an undergraduate Law/Arts (Politics and International Studies) degree.
Alex Seneta leads the Space Regulation team in the Office of the Space Regulator at the Australian Space Agency. Alex and her team work on civil space issues, including the design and development of governance frameworks for space activities domestically and internationally. The team is also responsible for leading Australia’s civil space engagement in the UN Committee on the Peaceful uses of Outer Space and related fora. Previously, Alex worked at the Australian Communications and Media Authority, mostly in satellite communications regulation. She has also been a reporter for SBS Television, has worked at the International Space University, and is a qualified legal practitioner.
Karlie Noon is an astronomer, science communicator, and a proud descendant of the Kamilaroi and Wiradjuri nations whose work bridges astrophysics and Indigenous knowledge systems. Karlie is widely known for her public engagement, blending ancient sky stories with modern science to inspire and challenge how we think about space.
Dr Cassandra Steer is chair and founder of the Australian Centre for Space Governance, and Associate Expert at the National Security College, and an independent space consulted. She has published widely on and is globally recognised for her expertise in space governance, space law, and space security. She has consulted on these issues to the UN Institute for Disarmament Research, the Australian, Canadian and US Departments of Defence, the Australian Space Agency, Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the Department of Home Affairs. She has taught at McGill University, the ANU College of Law and National Security College, and the Australian Defence College.