The Community and Public Sector Union (CPSU) has today welcomed the Federal Government's announcement of a $208.8 million funding boost for the Australian Antarctic Program, securing critical jobs and strengthening Australia's world-leading Antarctic science.
This announcement follows years of CPSU advocacy, including long-term campaigns and multiple submissions to government inquiries all calling for increased investment in the Australian Antarctic Division (AAD).
CPSU members have consistently raised concerns about the impact of underfunding and understaffing on the AAD's ability to deliver vital scientific outcomes. Including that insufficient in-house capability and unfilled critical positions frequently forced science to take a back seat to operational matters.
The CPSU has also highlighted the importance of Tasmania's role as the gateway to Antarctica and called for continued investment in public science, including at the CSIRO.
Quotes attributable to Zac Batchelor, CPSU Tasmanian Regional Secretary:
"This is a significant win for Tasmania, for Australia's Antarctic science, and for CPSU members at the AAD.
"For years, the CPSU has been on the front foot, making submissions, speaking out in the media, and campaigning directly to decision makers to address the chronic under-resourcing that has held back the AAD's scientific mission.
"Today's announcement is recognition of the essential role our members play in delivering world-class science in one of the most challenging environments on earth.
"Moving forward, it is vital that science is no longer forced to take a backseat to operational matters and that all critical positions at the AAD are fully staffed.
"While we are pleased to see the government backing in Antarctic science, it's important that they don't leave the CSIRO and its world leading research out in the cold. This announcement is being made at the same time as the CSIRO is facing the worst job cuts in the organisation's history. If this government really is serious about backing public science, they need to stop these cuts and properly fund the CSIRO.
