Media release - 28 October
2013 - The Government today kicked off its
commitment to deliver a 20 Year Australian
Antarctic Strategic Plan which will deliver
investment and jobs for Tasmania.
The Plan will be headed
by Dr Tony Press and will draw on a panel
of experts in relevant fields and involve
consultation with a wide range of stakeholders
and the general public.
Environment Minister
Greg Hunt, during a visit to the Australian
Antarctic Division headquarters in Hobart,
unveiled the Terms of Reference for the
Plan and tasked Dr Tony Press to begin work.
The Government is committed
to building on Australia's proud Antarctic
legacy by ensuring we remain engaged, active
and visible as a leading Antarctic nation
and by further expanding Tasmania's position
as a centre for research and Antarctic services.
With a leading presence
in Antarctica for more than 100 years it
is a critical time to look at how we strengthen
Australia's scientific research and maintain
our strong presence.
Hobart is already a
major hub of Antarctic research. Dr Press
will recommend options to build on this
and further stimulate economic, social,
research and policy benefits deriving from
Tasmania's status as an Antarctic gateway.
Dr Press is due to complete
the report by July next year.
Tasmanian Senator David
Bushby joined Minister Hunt for the announcement
today. Senator Bushby is committed to the
Coalition Government's promise to boost
the Tasmanian economy and deliver more jobs,
higher wages and better services.
The Government has already
committed significant new investment to
support Tasmania's Antarctic role. This
includes $38 million for the extension of
Hobart International Airport, $24 million
to establish a new Centre for Antarctic
and Southern Ocean Research, and $25 million
for the Antarctic Climate and Ecosystems
Cooperative Research Centres.
Australia is already
playing a leading scientific role in Antarctic
research. This year's Australian Antarctic
program involves a range of world class
science projects, including a major multi-nation
project which will reveal Antarctic climate
records.
The Australian Antarctic
Division's Dr Mark Curran will lead a team
of 15 partner organisations from Australia,
China, Denmark, France, Germany and the
United States to drill a 2000 to 3000-year
ice core at Aurora Basin in east Antarctica.
Over six weeks, beginning
December 2013, 24 scientists will drill
a 400 metre-long ice core at the remote
site, 550 kms from Australia's Casey station.
A further two shorter
cores of about 120 m and covering the last
1000 years will also be drilled for further
studies on climate and ice properties.
This project has been
several years in the planning and requires
considerable logistics to move accommodation
and equipment to support the team.
In all, around 26 tonnes
of camp and drilling equipment will be carried
on an overland traverse by heavy vehicles,
across 1300 kms of the icecap.
The traverse, to be
joined by the Australian Antarctic Division's
head of Climate Processes and Change, Dr
Tas van Ommen, will be managed by a 14-strong
team of colleagues from the French station
Dumont d'Urville.
The Aurora Basin project
is a clear illustration of Australia's ongoing
determination to not only continue significant
and relevant research but also to strengthen
our international collaboration in Antarctica.
