The Hon. Greg Hunt MP
Minister for the Environment
In 2015–16, the Government will provide $9.4 million to maintain Australia’s presence in Antarctica. This will bring the total investment in the Australian Antarctic programme for the coming financial year to $118 million and will help to ensure that Australia’s strategic and sovereign interests are protected.
This funding provides benefits for both the environment and the local community. With the bulk of Australia’s operational work in Antarctica undertaken out of Hobart, this funding will contribute to employment and investment in the region. It will support Antarctic scientific research activities and environmental management, while continuing to boost the Tasmanian economy.
The Government has also taken significant steps towards procuring a new world-class icebreaker which will support the Australian Antarctic programme and be home-ported in Hobart.