Bob Brown extends foundation campaign from forests to Antarctica

Bob Brown and his foundation are expanding from Tasmania’s forests to Antarctica’s icesheets.

Bob Brown is adding the role of Antarctic campaigners to his foundation's work. Picture: Chris Crerar

Bob Brown and his foundation are expanding from Tasmania’s forests to Antarctica’s icesheets, with a major Antarctic campaign to halt Australia’s paved runway, curtail fishing and tourism and keep miners out.

The campaign — the only one of its kind in Australia, featuring a dedicated full-time Antarctic campaigner — is a further sign of the rapid growth of the Bob Brown Foundation into a significant environment group.

Dr Brown, instrumental in the birth of the modern environment movement and the Greens, told The Weekend Australian the campaign aimed to shatter Australian complacency about the frozen continent.

“I think the Madrid Protocol signed in 1997, which extends for 50 years and prohibits mining in Antarctica, gave the false impression that would protect Antarctica,” he said. “It doesn’t.

“And the threats are growing rapidly. Antarctica is the single greatest environmental property on the planet and it really … isn’t safe.”

Despite Australia having a suspended claim to 42% of Antarctica, Dr Brown suggested awareness of threats to the greatest wilderness had declined. “There isn’t an Antarctic environmental campaigner dedicated to such in Australia and New Zealand, whereas 20 years ago there used to be at least half a dozen,” he said.

A catalyst for the BBF’s extension into Antarctic affairs was a bequest from the late scientist and environmentalist Dr Louise Crossley, the second Australian woman to lead an Antarctic station.

The campaign would push to ban fishing for krill and toothfish and to exclude toothfish boats from the Port of Hobart, an Antarctic gateway. Picture: David Neilson

Dr Brown said the campaign would oppose Australia’s plans to build Antarctica’s first paved runway near Davis station, described as a “game changer” for the nation’s Antarctic program and science.

“It’s the thin edge of the wedge,” he said. “We are seeing everybody wish to get to Antarctica in splendid comfort in increasing spread and numbers.

“The runway, a very big cost to taxpayers, hasn’t really had a debate … We’ve seen the likes of Barnaby Joyce go down there … and say ‘we’ve got to mine it’. China no doubt has the same thing in mind and so will many other exploiters in the future.

“When we build a runway like that in Antarctica, we are licensing dozens of other countries to do the same.”

The campaign would push to ban fishing for krill and toothfish and to exclude toothfish boats from the Port of Hobart, an Antarctic gateway.

Dr Brown said he had long held a passion for Antarctica and in 1990 personally presented President George Bush senior with a letter calling for Antarctic protection.

The BBF’s latest campaign is further evidence of its growing strength and activities. Dr Brown said it was funded entirely by public donations, as well as some private companies, notably outdoor clothing and gear firm Patagonia.

“We are a foundation that is growing rapidly, because we are taking action on the forests, wildlife, the Tarkine and so much more,” he said.

“When I left the Senate in 2012 I wanted to get back into active campaigning for the environment and felt that the best way to do that was to establish a foundation …

“We now have 10 to 12 staff all orientated to action to protect Australia’s environment … and this move on Antarctica is the logical extension.”

He denied it was a sign of lack of faith in existing environmental groups. “It’s complementary,” he said.