Claire Chandler (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Shadow Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Hansard source

Australia has a proud history of longstanding scientific research in Antarctica, and Tasmania has a proud history as Australia's gateway to the frozen continent. But all of this is now under threat because of this Labor government's proposed cuts to the Australian Antarctic Division. News of this proposed $25 million cut appears to have come completely out of the blue, and we know it's having a devastating impact on the morale of people who work at the Australian Antarctic Division and will potentially have a devastating impact on their operations if this cut comes to fruition. A cut of $25 million represents almost 16 per cent of the Australian Antarctic Division's operational budget. Like I said, this has come as a real shock not only to the people who work at the Australian Antarctic Division, the AAD, but also to the broader Tasmanian community, particularly in the south of the state near the AAD's headquarters in Kingston. In fact, Labor never once mentioned or alluded to any cuts to the AAD in the lead-up to last year's election. I think the potential of this $25 million cut really does bring into question this Labor government's commitment to scientific research and our country's caretaking responsibilities in Antarctica.

Australia's Antarctic territory spans 42 per cent of the continent. With custodianship of such a substantial territory, and a long historical connection dating back to the expedition of Sir Douglas Mawson, Australia has taken on a significant leadership role Antarctica. As an Australian, I'm very proud of that. And as a Tasmanian I'm very proud of that, because Tasmania certainly plays its part in this regard.

We have set the example of responsible custodianship and sensitive scientific research in Antarctica. We know this place needs to be treated with care, and we need to ensure we protect and preserve the ice content into the future. Any cut to our resourcing of the Australian Antarctic Division lessens our role and obligation to Antarctica. As one of the 12 original signatories of the Antarctic Treaty in 1959, we cannot afford to minimise our responsibilities to Antarctica, especially when concerns have been raised about the intentions of other nations to exploit Antarctica for natural resources. Maintaining a presence on the continent to ensure that Antarctica is protected from any such exploitative activity is essential. With Labor's proposed cuts to Antarctic funding, one has to ask the question: is this now under threat?

In highlighting Tasmania's important role as the gateway to Antarctica, I think it's also important for the chamber to understand the depth of the island state's involvement in Australia's broader Antarctic activities. In Hobart, we are used to seeing icebreakers berthed on the waterfront. The orange hulk that was the Aurora Australia was always a prominent sight at the docks, transferring essential equipment and supplies as well as intrepid expeditioners to and from the icy continent. Of course, we have the new icebreaker in Hobart as well.

The AAD is headquartered and operated out of the current location in Kingston, which, as I said earlier, is in the south of the state. It makes sense for our foremost agency responsible for our Antarctic operations to be based in the state with the closest proximity to Antarctica. The AAD's presence in Tasmania, coupled with our proximity to the continent, has seen the island state become a hub of Antarctic scientific research.

Tasmania is also home to some of our nation's foremost manufacturers of Antarctic equipment. Elphinstone, based in Triabunna on the east coast, has been designing and manufacturing Antarctic equipment since 1985. The company manufactures a wide variety of sleds and other equipment used in Australia's Antarctic operations. I've been fortunate enough to tour Elphinstone and see firsthand their exceptional work to design and build equipment that needs to withstand the harsh conditions. This business is an absolute testament to Tasmanian ingenuity and expertise when it comes to the Antarctic. What do the government's proposed cuts to the AAD mean for companies like Elphinstone, which provide services and equipment to support the AAD's ongoing mission in Antarctica? I would be very interested to know.

In conclusion, Tasmania is well and truly ingrained in Australia's Antarctic story. It makes it more astounding that the Labor government would even entertain a budget cut which will only reduce Australia's and Tasmania's Antarctic involvement. News of the proposed $25 million cut has caused much unease and anxiety among Australia's Antarctic community, particularly in southern Tasmania. It is time for this government to guarantee that Tasmania will continue to be our Antarctic gateway.