The Greens welcome the strong tri-partisan recommendations contained within the report from the Senate Inquiry into the management of the Southern Ocean. This Inquiry was established by the Greens because of an urgent need to develop a coordinated response to the issues of climate science, whaling and illegal fishing.
Tasmanian Greens Senator Whish-Wilson said, “The Southern Ocean is of crucial importance to Australia, and Australia is of crucial importance to the Southern Ocean. Australia is the Southern Ocean’s guardian, and if we will look after it, then it will look after us.
“This Senate report puts the Southern Ocean back on the radar. I say to the Government, ‘No more excuses. No more cuts. It’s time to restore our role as Southern Ocean custodians.’
“I am pleased there is tri-partisan support for additional patrols against illegal fishing by Patagonian toothfish pirates and increased international cooperation.
“This Inquiry also vindicates the Greens’ previous calls for increased diplomatic pressure to be applied to Japan over their efforts to reinstitute whaling. I have been calling for this since before the decision was handed down by the International Court of Justice.
“Understanding the Southern Ocean is critical to our future. It holds the secrets as to how the planet will respond to climate change. This report clearly reinforces the need to elevate Southern Ocean climate science as a strategic priority and to restore funding to allow the RV Investigator additional days at sea.
“I wholeheartedly support the Inquiry’s call for creating a dedicated strategy to maximise Tasmania’s potential as an Antarctic Gateway. This will require cooperation, investment in infrastructure and a critical mass of research to be undertaken.
“The Antarctic and Southern Ocean sector at its peak contributed around $450 million to Tasmania’s economy. If we stop the Abbott government science cuts, and all levels of government pull together, then this sector can be a cornerstone of the state’s economic future.
“The Greens provided two additional recommendations to the Inquiry: 1) that a minimum 20% of the Australian Antarctic Division budget should be ring-fenced for science and 2) that funding for the Hobart Runway extension be temporarily diverted to fund more sea-going time for the RV Investigator,” Senator Whish-Wilson concluded.
Tasmanian Greens Senator Whish-Wilson
