Nationals Member for Western Victoria, David O'Brien has offered support to secure funding for the push towards the establishment of a 'dark matter' laboratory at Stawell Gold Mine.
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Mr O'Brien announced that he would support the application put forward by the Northern Grampians Shire Council for funding.
"I believe this is a rare opportunity for regional Victoria in terms of being at the forefront of scientific research," Mr O'Brien said.
"While currently at the early stages, the particle laboratory considered for Stawell would be the only one of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere.
"Northern Grampians Shire Council have delivered their case to the state government and it will be considered along with a number of other funding priorities.
"The advantages of this proposal are that it can co-exist with current mining operations and that it would attract up to 15 science-based jobs in the first twelve months.
"The Stawell site has the capacity to be developed into a substantial international research laboratory, well supported by existing infrastructure such as industrial capacity natural gas and fibre optic cables.
"Research has already identified that the site has the appropriate depth, geological feature and vehicle access.
"I will be supporting this project within state government because I believe it is a potential winner for Stawell."
'Dark matter' is a type of matter believed to account for a large part of the mass making up the universe. While scientists know that dark matter exists and makes up part of the universe, they still don't know what it is made up of. A research facility in Australia would compliment an already existing facility in Italy.
Work is already underway on more precise testing to further the case for Stawell.
