Cementing Tasmania’s reputation as the Antarctic Gateway

The Hodgman Liberal Government welcome’s today’s launch of the federally-funded $24 million Antarctic Gateway Partnership which further cements our reputation as the Gateway to Antarctica.

It also consolidates Tasmania’s status as the global “brains trust” for Antarctic and Southern Ocean Affairs. There is no other place on earth with a greater concentration of expertise on Antarctic and Southern Ocean matters than that which exists right here in Hobart.

This Gateway Partnership was a Federal Liberal election commitment in 2013 and will see 40 researchers employed to ensure this project drives Antarctic Science for the next three years and brings investment in Antarctic Research to almost $50 million since 2010.

The Hodgman Liberal Government is committed to building on our competitive strengths, including as a gateway to Antarctica and a centre for Antarctic research. Through Hobart, 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 almost 3000 Tasmanians direct and indirectly. Importantly, the sector is capitalising on the available opportunities to grow the sector.

Our reputation is only growing in this area, including through the recent China Trade and Investment mission when an Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the Tasmanian Polar Network and the Polar Research Institute of China agreeing to cooperate on the provision of Tasmanian technical support for Chinese Antarctic expeditions.

The agreement will see the Tasmanian Polar Network explore options to provide services in Tasmania including repair and maintenance, spare parts and technical support for snow tractors, mobile polar vehicles, power equipment and other machinery as required.

This agreement builds on the Memorandum of Understanding the Tasmanian Government signed with State Oceanic Administration of China with the purpose of increasing collaboration in Antarctic science.
Matthew Groom, Minister for State Growth