Senator The Hon Murray Watt, Minister for the Environment and Water
The Hon Dr Jim Chalmers MP, Treasurer
The Hon Julie Collins MP, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
Senator The Hon Carol Brown, Senator for Tasmania
Senator Richard Dowling, Senator for Tasmania
The Albanese Labor Government will expand Australia's Antarctic Program and create jobs and opportunities in Tasmania.
This is about more jobs and investment in Tasmania and more funding for our scientists and our experts.
It's a big investment that backs Tasmania, backs our scientists, backs our environment and our economy.
It includes funding for:
- More voyages of RSV Nuyina, one of the most advanced polar icebreaking research ships in the world, which will deepen our understanding of Antarctica, the impacts of climate change on the Southern Ocean and Antarctica's role in the global climate system.
- Up to 30 new technical and scientific jobs at the Antarctic Division headquarters in Tasmania to support and deliver the additional marine science voyages.
- Aviation capability to keep Australian workers safe by providing medical evacuation and search and rescue support.
- More research through the Australian Centre for Excellence in Antarctic Science.
- A $5 million grant for data analysis and publication from recent Denman Glacier campaigns being delivered by post-doctoral researchers and staff.
New funding of $208.8 million over seven years from 2025-26 will secure critical shipping and aviation capabilities and continue supporting our world-class marine science.
Whether it's more scientists, more funding for sea voyages or more funding for aviation, we're investing in the Antarctic Program in the interests of all Australians.
Better understanding Antarctica means better understanding climate change and it's impacts on our economy and our communities, and that's what this investment is all about.
