The Australian Government has announced a record funding of $208 million to enhance Antarctic research. Aside from short term jobs this investment will generate up to 30 new technical and science support posts at the Australian Antarctic Division headquarters in Tasmania. The funding from this bill will create new jobs. It will boost research efforts to address pressing research needs concerning fundamental changes to Earth’s climate systems and biodiversity in the Southern Ocean.
This new funding allocation will drastically boost the capacity of the AAD, which administers most Antarctic research programs in Australia. This will open up exciting new opportunities for scientists to study the effects of a changing marginal ice zone. Beyond just contemplating their Edicts of Exit, they’ll consider the environmental impacts of these changes. The funding will deliver an increase in the number of marine science voyages undertaken by Australia’s new icebreaker, RSV Nuyina. Now, it’s able to undertake more experimental research voyages in between regular resupply missions to Australia’s four Antarctic and sub-Antarctic stations.
Expanded Research Opportunities
The $208 million funding package will allow scientists to dive deeper into key environmental topics. Crucially, researchers are turning their attention to climate systems across the globe. They’ll look into how the melting of Antarctica is shifting Australian weather patterns and environmental conditions.
Dr. Nicholas Gales emphasized the importance of this research, stating, “What happens in Antarctica, and fundamentally what changes in Antarctica, affects everyone in Australia.”
And that sentiment closely matched that of federal Treasurer Jim Chalmers, when he described the magnitude of the funding as a game changer. He remarked, “This is a $200 million vote of confidence in the extraordinary science that happens here and what it means for our understanding of the Antarctic area.”
Beyond climate research, the targets of this new funding are to increase studies on biodiversity across the Southern Ocean. This year, the government has budgeted $17 million for deep-field marine science voyages to Denman Glacier and to Heard Island. Today’s funding is a historic expansion of research for scientists to do – and the opportunities are amazing!
Upgrades and Infrastructure Improvements
The well-rounded funding approach features lots of money for modernizing and repairing critical infrastructure. The federal government has allocated $370 million over nine years to replace Australia’s aging research station on Macquarie Island. Additionally, it has set aside $250 million over seven years for much-needed renovations to Davis Station, Antarctica’s flagship outpost.
These strategic infrastructure investments are critical for maintaining the pace of impactful ongoing research activities. They support Australian scientists in enabling them to do their work responsibly and safely. The funding will go to much needed address rising aviation costs to maintain Antarctic operations. In addition, it will strengthen our MEDEVAC and search and rescue capabilities.
Greens senator Peter Whish-Wilson was disappointed by the absence of long-term funding to support the government’s research initiatives. He stated, “Despite lobbying for a long-term government commitment, this critical cooperative research centre has only received $5m for two years — which will result in significant job losses.”
Future Directions for Antarctic Research
The state government also appears to be moving quickly to insert this funding into next week’s expected mid-year budget update. An ever-growing audience understands the need for continued, long-term appropriation of funding for Antarctic research. Australian Centre for Excellence in Antarctic Science (ACEAS) Australian Antarctic Program has $6.7 million worth of grants awarded each year. Sadly, unlike our nation’s needs, this funding is only temporary.
ACEAS representatives sounded their sincere desire to work with the government. Their goal is to help everyone understand how this patchwork, temporary funding solution will affect day-to-day operations and valuable research going forward. They stated, “Our imperative is to ensure we can continue delivering world-leading science that helps communities in Australia prepare for climate risks emerging from Antarctica and the Southern Ocean.”
The funding commitment shows leadership to make the bold investments needed to address unprecedented environmental crises. Simultaneously, it catalyzes job creation within Tasmania.
