… and Antarctica with new icebreaker
In a significant coup for Lyons and Tasmania, the Federal Government has made a long term commitment to Antarctica by approving the process to procure a new icebreaker to be based in Hobart to replace the ageing Aurora Australis.
Federal Lyons MP Eric Hutchinson said today that the commitment was a huge boost to the region and would see jobs created as the Federal Government expands Tasmania as the gateway to Antarctica.
“A modern, sophisticated icebreaker will provide critical support for Australia’s Antarctic research stations and expand Tasmania’s role as the gateway to the Southern Ocean and Antarctica,’’ Mr Hutchinson said.
“The new ship will have an enhanced icebreaking capability, greater cargo capacity, be able to undertake critical marine science within the sea ice zone, operate more efficiently and effectively and also act in a supporting role for other government agencies if the need arises,’’ Mr Hutchinson said.
The Government has also committed to expanding Hobart International Airport, increase scientific research in the Antarctic and Southern Ocean and build Hobart as the global gateway to East Antarctica.
As part of the Federal Government’s Tasmanian Economic Growth Strategy, the Government is committed to bolstering the role of Hobart as a transport centre for expeditions to Antarctica.
It has also delivered on an election commitment of $24 million over three years from 2014-15 for a new Antarctic Gateway Partnership between the Australian Antarctic Division, the University of Tasmania and the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation to provide collaborative larger scale scientific research.
This money will be used to get scientists onto the ice and the Southern Ocean.
Bringing the three organisations together in an Antarctic Gateway Partnership will increase Australia’s Antarctic and Southern Ocean scientific research and enshrine Tasmania’s position at the centre of Antarctic research and services to the region, Mr Hutchinson said.
To support the logistical services critical to Australia’s Antarctic program, the Budget also contained on-going funding of $45.3 over four years to maintain the airline service between Hobart and the Wilkins ice runway near Casey station and a further $13.4 million over four years for fuel and other logistical support.
Mr Hutchinson said that this ongoing funding for logistics was essential to Australia’s Antarctic program and would ensure more certainty compared with the year-to-year funding of the previous budgets.
“The Budget also commits $9.4 million for 2014-15 to ensure the continued operation of Australia’s three Antarctic and one sub-Antarctic station maintaining Australia’s presence in the frozen continent,’’ Mr Hutchinson said.
“A longer term strategy for Australia’s presence in Antarctica is currently being developed through the Government 20 Year Strategic Plan for Antarctic and Southern Ocean Research to be released later in the year.’’
LYONS Liberal MHR Eric Hutchinson
