The Liberal Government is committed to building on our competitive strengths, including as a gateway to Antarctica and a centre for Antarctic research.
Today I was delighted to join Commonwealth Environment Minister Greg Hunt in Hobart for the release of the 20 Year Australian Antarctic Strategic Plan.
This is a significant document that reaffirms Australia’s Antarctic commitments and Tasmania’s role as the Australian Antarctic Program headquarters.
Through its Hobart Antarctic Gateway, Tasmania is the national and international partner of choice for supporting logistics and science in East Antarctica and the adjacent Southern Ocean.
Antarctic and Southern Ocean research and support activities contributes more than $180 million to the Tasmanian economy annually and employs 1,185 Tasmanians.
The Tasmanian Liberal Government is working with stakeholders to formulate an Antarctic Strategy that will address a number of the recommendations outlined in the Press review. This Strategy will be launched in early 2015.
The Tasmanian Government looks forward to working alongside the Commonwealth Government to progress the key initiatives relating to Tasmania in the Plan.
Matthew Groom, Minister for Environment, Parks and Heritage
