Demands for transparency about Antarctic Division budget cuts as summer expedition season looms

The Federal Government has been urged to come clean about the impact of budget cuts at the Hobart-based Australian Antarctic Division – which is under pressure to cut $25m in spending.

Australia's Antarctic icebreaker, RSV Nuyina, Big Lift vessel Happy Dragon, and Aiviq, an American icebreaking anchor handling tug supply vessel (AHTS) in Hobart 2022 Photo - © Simon Payne - Australian Antarctic Division

Green and Liberal senators have demanded the federal government come clean about the impact of budget cuts at the Hobart-based Australian Antarctic Division.

The Division is under pressure to cut $25m from its spending this year – equivalent to around 16 per cent of its annual operating budget.

Greens Senator Peter Whish-Wilson said he was hearing concerns from within the AAD about the scaling back of Australia’s Antarctic science programs.

“Science is the currency of the Antarctic Treaty and if the Albanese Government wants to secure Australia’s leadership role in the region it must properly fund our scientific efforts,” he said.

“It’s shocking that we are not hearing more from the Australian government on this, given we claim 40 per cent of Antarctica as Australian Territory.

Greens Senator Peter Whish-Wilson. Picture: Linda Higginson

“AAD staff are languishing in uncertainty right now. It’s time for the Albanese Government to put its money where its mouth is: prioritise science and fund all Antarctic projects as originally planned.

“Science programs have suffered a death by a thousand cuts in Antarctica.

Australian Antarctic Division acting chief scientist Aleks Terauds said significant scientific work would be carried out in Antarctica this summer.

“The Australian Antarctic Program continues to prioritise critical science that supports understanding of climate, ecosystems and environmental stewardship,” Mr Terauds said.

“Australia’s climate science is globally important and the Australian Antarctic Program will continue to deliver our priority science initiatives, such as the Million Year Ice Core and the Denman Terrestrial Campaign.

“Last season the groundwork was set for two major scientific endeavours and this season we will start to deliver these world-class projects as part of the Australian Antarctic Science Strategic Plan.”

Community and Public Sector Union regional secretary Zac Batchelor said he was keen to get a better understanding of what the AAD’s budget issues entailed.

“We’re thinking that Australian Antarctic Division science is taking a significant burden as far as budgetary pressure goes,” he said.

Aleks Terauds adressing an Antarctic Conference in 2012.

“Issues with the capacity of the Australian Antarctic Division’s science division is something our members have had concerns about for a good four years. It’s not a new thing.”

Liberal Senator Jonothan Duniam said he was shocked at how weak the government’s commitment was to underwriting Antarctic science.

“Labor sell themselves as environmental evangelists and backers of our Antarctic program. It’s always been a lie, but now it’s confirmed,” he said.

“The $25 million worth of cuts under the Albanese Government do more than just damage our scientific efforts in the region. They also undermine our reputation amongst other nations and throw in mass uncertainty for our workers for the upcoming summer season.”

“The Coalition take Antarctic employees, programs and infrastructure seriously, and have provided extensive funding over many years – including recently in the commissioning of the $528 million RSV Nuyina and the $800 plus million, ten-year commitment last year.”