Australia will explore areas of Antarctica never reached before under a massive $804.4m package that will send a strong signal to the world on our leadership in the region.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison will announce the significant strategic and scientific investment on Tuesday from the east coast of Tasmania, which is a gateway to the coldest, driest and windiest continent on earth.
The 10-year package is aimed at strengthening Australia’s national interests in Antarctica, which is not owned by any one nation and is governed by a set of agreements under a treaty system.
Antarctica is about twice the size of Australia and its freezing temperatures and extreme winds make access and research incredibly challenging.
More than $135m will go toward supporting inland travel, mobile stations and critical charting activities.
Another $60.6m will be invested in drone fleets and other autonomous vehicles that will map inaccessible and fragile areas of East Antarctic.
This will establish an “Antarctic eye” through integrated sensors and cameras that provide researchers with real-time information.
There will also be $35m put toward four new medium lift helicopters that have a range of 550km.
When they are launched from Nuyina – Australia’s icebreaker vessel, which is the main lifeline to antarctic and subantarctic research – they will be able to access parts of the frozen continent never reached before.
The Prime Minister said the region was“critically important” to Australia’s future.
“The money we are investing in drone fleets, helicopters and other vehicles will enable us to explore areas of East Antarctica’s inland that no country has ever been able to reach before,” he said.
“My government will continue to back our world-class scientists and expeditioners with the necessary funding and resources, because their research on the frozen continent and in the Southern Ocean is critically important to Australia’s future.”
He said investment in Antarctica would directly support jobs at home.
“Our $800 million commitment supports the next decade of Australia’s operations in Antarctica and provides more opportunities for local businesses across Australia that support this work, especially in Tasmania,” he said.
More than $17m will be put towards boosting marine science in the Southern Ocean and creating a new krill aquarium in Hobart.
The government will also provide $44.2m in extra support to RSV Nuyina for extended sea voyages.
Researching Antarctic ice sheet science to better understand climate change impacts will also be a focus.
This will help in the ability to monitor sea level rises.
Environment Minister Sussan Ley said it was crucial the Antarctic was not exploited.
“When I sit down with world leaders to discuss the Antaxjmtzywrctic and the Southern Ocean in the face of increasing pressures, the strategic importance of our scientific leadership is clear,” she said.
“We need to ensure that the Antarctic remains a place of science and conservation, one that is free from conflict and which is protected from exploitation.
“Science is the key to that future.
“This investment … will reflect Australia’s commitment to our sovereignty in the Australian Antarctic Territory and its leading voice in the region.”
