When it comes to the development of spatial information systems and technology, the role of government is crucial, as in most cases government holds the primary data upon which the industry will ultimately grow.

Spatial information and the industry associated with it is something I have been passionate about for a long time. And even today that makes me a little unusual. When I was first elected to Parliament, very few of my colleagues had any real understanding of what spatial information was, let alone any notion that it had the potential to grow into the $12.6 billion dollar industry it is today.

To the majority of parliamentarians and senior government officials a map was something you either had in your atlas at home or in the glove box of the car.

And that is where the spatial information industry was stuck for a while, at least amongst the decision makers in parliament.

Spatial information contributes between $6.4 billion and $12.6 billion to the Australian economy in 2007, and we're only just scratching the surface, says Peter Woodgate.

How many times a day do you access spatial information?

Everytime you look at a weather forecast, log onto Google Earth, use an in-car or hand-held navigation system. Industries such as commercial fishing, real estate and mining are increasingly dependent on such systems for doing everything from detecting schools of fish and mineral deposits to locating lost truck drivers.

The everyday use of spatial data is becoming truly ubiquitous. Indeed over 60 countries have satellite systems that take pictures of the earth, manage positioning systems or handle telecommunications.

Economic consultants ACIL Tasman has just published a study of the economic impact of spatial information on the Australian economy, and the results will surprise some.

The study, commissioned by the Cooperative Research Centre for Spatial Information (CRCSI), found the spatial information industry made between a $6.4 billion to $12.6 billion contribution to Australia's gross domestic product in 2006/07 and had a positive impact on the trade balance by generating exports valued at between $1.3 billion and $2.3 billion.