Budget Cuts to Antarctica Research Not an Attack on Science, Says Department

Paradise Bay, Antartica. (chrisontour84/Shutterstock)

The Australian federal government has pushed back on the criticism from the Greens over reducing funding for the Antarctic Research Division by $25 million (US$16.6 million).

This follows the Australian Greens calling the decision an “attack on science.”

A spokesperson from the federal Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water’s Australian Antarctic Division (AAD) told The Epoch Times in an email that the $25 million difference had nothing to do with budget cuts implemented in May across the whole of government.

The $25 million difference in funding between last year (2022-23) and this year (2023-24) is predominantly due to the cessation of a terminating budget measure relating to the Nuyina,” the spokesperson said.

RSV Nuyina is an icebreaking vessel used by the AAD to ferry scientists and supplies between Australia and Antarctica. However, on July 8, it was announced by the AAD that while the ship was in Singapore for routine maintenance, other issues were found that meant the vessel would not be available for the 2022-2023 Antarctic season.

According to the department, the AAD was receiving temporary funding for additional shipping in the commissioning of the icebreaker. However, the resulting delay of several months means RSV Nuyina is unlikely to be available for resupply and science operations in the coming 2022-23 Antarctic season.

The spokesperson also told The Epoch Times that the AAD was given an operating budget of $208.9 million for the 2023-2024 financial year, with a further $70.9 million in capital. But the spokesperson noted that the allocated funding was also undergoing a review to ensure the AAD met its “capital and operational priorities.”

“As is normal practice, the Australian Antarctic Division of DCCEEW is currently reviewing options for achieving it’s capital and operational priorities within its allocated budget,” the department spokesperson said.

The spokesperson said the cuts would not result in any job losses to the program.

“As the division goes through the standard process of prioritising spending within allocated budgets, we will review any fixed-term employment contracts. The focus will be on finding areas where work performed by those on fixed-term contracts can be incorporated into the work of ongoing staff,” they said.

“The AAD will continue to deliver outcomes for Antarctica while developing a positive culture and ensuring a safe work environment.”

Greens Concerned Funding Drop Will Impact Climate Research

The comments from the department follow Greens Senator for Tasmania, Peter Whish-Wilson, blasting the Albanese government’s decision to cut the $25 million from the budget.

Senator Whish-Wilson said the decision to reduce the budget of the Australian Antarctic Division by 16 percent was ridiculous given the importance of climate research. The Greens are calling for the cuts to be reversed immediately given the recent reduction in sea ice around the continent.

“There’s never been a more important time to increase Antarctic science funding. Scientists are currently warning of a reduction in Antarctic sea ice equivalent to a once every 7.5 million year event,” Senator Whish-Wilson said.

“Unprecedented low ice coverage has scientists stunned and is of significant global concern. There couldn’t possibly be a worse time to be cutting the operating budget of the AAD, particularly with critical ice sheet scientific programs scheduled for this summer.

“The Government must uphold Australia’s leadership and commitment to the Antarctic Treaty and the critical globally significant and internationally collaborative science programs that underpin this.”

Senator Whish-Wilson said the budget cuts were generating concerns that there will be science programs cut in the region.

“If the Albanese Government can find $10 billion to spend on a new fleet of Hercules planes, it must guarantee, at a minimum, the promised $7.4 million for research focused on studying the destabilisation of Antarctic ice sheets,” he said.

Summer Antarctic Research to Go Ahead

AAD Director Kim Ellis has also allayed the fears of researchers that summer expeditions will be cancelled.

“Change-over dates for the 90 expeditioners currently living and working at Australia’s four research stations in Antarctica and on Macquarie Island will remain much the same,” Mr. Ellis said after noting that two additional vessels, icebreaker Aiviq and an ice-strengthened cargo ship Happy Dynamic, have been secured for the upcoming season to transport critical cargo and bring expeditioners home.

“Planning for disruption and the unexpected is an important part of the Australian Antarctic Program, and we had always planned this contingency during the commissioning and warranty phase for Nuyina.”

Meanwhile, Chief Scientist Professor Nicole Webster said the AAD was examining the changes and implications for science projects.

“Science remains at the heart of the Australian Antarctic Program, and we will work closely with research teams on options to support their summer science projects.”