Antarctic science will struggle without logistics boost

The lack of funding certainty for transporting and housing expeditioners puts Antarctic science at risk, says Anna Reynolds, Greens candidate for Denison.

Ms Reynolds is calling for Federal funding that supports the logistics of Antarctic research to be a core budget allocation.

Her call comes as the first joint Antarctic science conference between New Zealand and Australia ends in Hobart today.

“For many years there has been a ‘one-off’ allocation that pays for the airlink and the logistics of getting to and from Antarctica,” said Ms Reynolds.

She warned that the ‘one-off’ logistics payments have been decreasing over the last few years. The $9.5 million allocated for 2013/14 is a reduction of $4 million from the previous year.

“This transport and logistics funding for Antarctica should become a core item in the budget, not a ‘one-off’ that’s decided on year-by-year,” Ms Reynolds said.

“The core allocation for this should be at least $15 million – the Australian Antarctic Division simply can’t pay for fuel, keep all the stations open, and maintain the runway without this funding.”

“Australia has the world’s largest Antarctic Territory and the third largest Exclusive Economic Zone. It takes serious and reliable funding to maintain our responsibilities for such large and precious parts of the planet,” Anna Reynolds said.

Earlier this year, the Australian Greens released their $205 million policy for protecting and expanding Antarctic and Marine Science ( http://tas.greens.org.au/system/files/private/Antarctica%20Initiative.pdf )
Anna Reynolds, Greens candidate for Denison