Antarctic science is vital for our survival as a species, for three powerful reasons.

1.    Because we need to fully understand Antarctica as one of the major key factors causing dramatic shifts in global climate, through studies of ice cores and past atmospheres, oceanic currents and loss of ice sheets.

2.    Because the seas around Antarctica are home to a vast biomass of organisms that form the base of the Southern Ocean food chains, necessary for sustainable fishing of important food resources, and the health of marine ecosystems throughout the southern hemisphere, also impacting on northern hemisphere ecosystems through the movements of many southern ocean migrant species.

3.    Antarctica is also special because of the way in which scientists from around the globe work together in a neutral place where results are achieved with a deep mutual respect for its pristine environment. Everyone who spends time working there would agree with me in saying it needs to stay pristine as one of the last vast areas on Earth not despoiled by human presence. Antarctic science collaboration is a microcosm of how countries could act towards each other one day, to create a peaceful world founded upon mutual respect."

[Background: 4 expeditions working in remote parts of Antarctica over 1988-89 (NZARP funded), 1991-92 (ANARE-NZARP), 2016-17, 2018-19 (both USAP). Author of two books on Antartica:

The Mountains of Madness -A Scientist’s Odyssey through Antartcica. By J.Long, 2000. Joseph Henry Press, USA, Allen & Unwin, Australia. 238 pp.

https://nap.nationalacademies.org/catalog/9848/mountains-of-madness-a-scientists-odyssey-in-antarctica

Frozen in Time-Prehistoric Life in  Antartcica, by J.Stilwell and J.Long, 2011.CSIRo Publishing, Australia. 238pp.

https://www.publish.csiro.au/book/6431/]

In the last years, Antarctica has thrown the world surprise after alarming surprise. Getting ahead of the surprises requires Australia to plan for the long term and extract the most from our investments in Antarctic research. Our success will depend on our ability to organise our Antarctic ships, planes and bases with our world leading university and government researchers for the long term. 

The parliamentary committee have made some really excellent recommendations on some of the critical issues where relatively modest changes will have great benefit to Australia better responding to what is now rapid and accelerating change in the Antarctic. I'm particularly pleased for the call for long-term support for university research, which leads or supports 75% of all Australian Antarctic research, and the call for a second ship. 

But we've seen many of these sorts of recommendations before. What we now need is for them to be accepted and implemented. There's an urgency in this. Some of these cannot wait until next year - many of Australia's most talented Antarctic researchers will lose their jobs this year due to a funding cliff in my centre. 

A second ship will free up Australia's world-leading scientific icebreaker from shipping baked beans to stations and allow it to start to catch up on almost a decade of inactivity in remote Southern Ocean science. But that only works if we have researchers to go on board who are able to plan the voyage years in advance knowing they'll have a job when it sets sail. 

Australia’s Antarctic Territory: Report on the Inquiry into the Importance of Antarctica to Australia’s National Interests has a number of most welcome recommendations which align with our report on the ARC Linkage international project Antarctic Gateway Cities (2017-2021).

Australia’s continued efforts to establish an East Antarctic Marine Protected Area through the Antarctic Treaty System is crucial under the Paris Agreement as Antarctica plays a pivotal function in regulating the planet’s climate systems. The Report includes critical recommendations for future-proofing Australia’s leadership in the Southern Ocean region such as considering options for providing further funding to Australian researchers and developing a national education and awareness campaign. But this campaign should not only focus on promoting Australia’s national interests in Antarctica, and I would have expected more in terms of how more resources can be available for Hobart to become a true Antarctic City rather than only a gateway and thoroughfare to the Antarctic.

In our Antarctic Cities project, we put forward a vision for how Hobart, in collaboration with other international Antarctic gateways might look at themselves as more than thoroughfares to become urban centres that embrace an urban identity associated with the custodial care for Antarctica.

Dramatic changes are beginning to unfold in Antarctica. The rising oceans and changing weather patterns that come from Antarctica will have serious impacts for Australia and the world. 

The recommendations to strengthen long-term certainty in Antarctic science funding and to prioritise scientific research on Australia’s icebreaker would allow our country to make real progress in helping Australia to anticipate the risks we will face from a changing Antarctica, and to be global leaders in protecting this unique and pristine part of our planet.

Antarctica is changing, and we still do not fully understand why. Yet, these transformations have already begun to impact Australia’s climate. One key reason for this uncertainty is the lack of field data. The new icebreaker, RSV Nuyina, is equipped with technology for monitoring the Antarctic environment and the scientific community will have the opportunity to further develop and enhance these capabilities, ensuring that the icebreaker becomes a valuable asset for understanding and predicting these changes. 

Furthermore, RSV Nuyina plays a fundamental role in Antarctica in logistics, the sustainable development of emerging economic activities and national security, aligning with Australia’s commitments under the Antarctic Treaty System. Its headquarters in Hobart provide an optimal gateway, given the proximity of the Australian Antarctic Division, as well as regional offices of CSIRO and the Bureau of Meteorology. It is also conveniently connected to a broad scientific network, with support extending across Australia and internationally

Australia's weather and ecosystem is intrinsically linked to Antarctica. By supporting conservation in Antarctica, we are ensuring the conservation of a major factor within our close climate and environmental region. Supporting research into the Antarctic continent and the Southern Ocean is beneficial to all Australians and is predominantly being done in Hobart, thanks to the Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies and Australian Antarctic Division. Hobart is also home to multiple international policy centres such as CCAMLR and CEMP and private organisations with Antarctic links. Having a strong Antarctic research and policy centre in Hobart is central to Australia's strong standing within the Antarctic Treaty System for the next 60 years.

This report reinforces what the Antarctic science community has known for years—Australia’s leadership in Antarctic research is at risk without stronger, long-term investment. A second Antarctic vessel is not just a luxury, it’s a necessity to ensure reliable access to critical field sites, improve resilience in our operations, and support the ambitious science that underpins Australia’s Antarctic interests.

Consistency in funding is another key issue. Antarctic research requires multi-year planning, yet we continue to see funding uncertainty that hampers long-term projects. If we want to maintain Australia’s position as a leader in Antarctic science and conservation, we need stable, predictable funding structures that allow scientists to focus on research rather than securing short-term grants.