Peter Whish-Wilson (Tasmania, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I move:

That the Senate—

(a) notes that:

  (i) the funding for the Antarctic Climate and Ecosystems Cooperative Research Centre (CRC) runs out mid-2019,

  (ii) a Liberal Government policy change is preventing the CRC from reapplying for funding to allow them to continue their research,

  (iii) at least 70 jobs in Hobart are on the line if the Antarctic CRC is not able to reapply for funding,

  (iv) the lack of clarity about the future is putting pressure on scientists to leave Hobart for job security, and is impacting on planning and implementation of research projects, and

  (v) the work undertaken by the CRC is critical to help Australia and the world to understand current and future potential impacts of climate change; and

(b) calls for the Government to reverse its CRC policy decision that prevents the Antarctic CRC from reapplying for funding.

James McGrath (Queensland, Liberal National Party, Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek leave to make a short statement.

Scott Ryan (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Leave is granted for one minute.

James McGrath (Queensland, Liberal National Party, Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The government opposes this motion. The coalition government is providing record funding for Antarctic research and infrastructure through its $2.2 billion Australian Antarctic Program. This includes $1.9 billion on the Antarctic icebreaker, $200 million for AAD's operations and $55 million for overland traverse capabilities and initial work for year-round aviation access. This investment will ensure Australia remains an international scientific leader in the Antarctic region. The government is currently considering a review of the governance of Antarctic science, conducted by Drew Clarke AO PSM, and is also assessing the most appropriate arrangements for the funding of Antarctic science. The government will release its response to the Clarke review in due course. Antarctic science funding is subject to the usual budget process.

Peter Whish-Wilson (Tasmania, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek leave to make a short statement.

Scott Ryan (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Leave is granted for one minute.

Peter Whish-Wilson (Tasmania, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

It's fine to invest money in shiny new ships and buildings, cut ribbons at election time and fly the Prime Minister down multiple times to make announcements. What we need investment in, in Tasmania and in Hobart, is the people. We have a situation where up to 80 scientists and their families—an absolutely integral part of our scientific community in Hobart—are facing a funding cliff at the end of this year, after nearly 15 years of funding research. And it's not just climate research; it's research on the Southern Ocean and the Antarctic. The projects the scientists are working on are globally collaborative. This is absolutely critical. The single biggest issue in Southern Tasmania at the moment is: where is the money that we need to give these scientists certainty so that they don't leave and go elsewhere? It's about time your government took science funding seriously and stumped up what you're going to do about science funding both in Hobart and in Australia.

Question agreed to.