Australian Antarctic Science Council to be established

The federal government is creating an Australian Antarctic Science Council to revitalise science research, as well as boost Hobart’s position as an Antarctic science hub and as the premier gateway to Antarctica.

The Antarctic Science Council is set to provide further strategic direction for the Australian Antarctic Program, oversee science funding priorities and ensure funds directly support Antarctic research, reducing administrative costs and making it easier to plan multiyear projects. Comprising an independent chair and representatives from key Antarctic science agencies, the council should enhance Australia’s international reputation for Antarctic science.

The establishment of the council is the first step in implementing the recommendations of a review into the governance of Australia’s Antarctic Science Program, undertaken by former senior public servant Drew Clarke. The government has supported, either in full or in principle, all nine recommendations in the Clarke Review, including:

• Establish an Australian Antarctic Science Council
• Establish an Australian National Antarctic Research Institute (ANARI) in Hobart
• Integrate logistic and science planning
• Strategic plan to separately identify strategic and policy-driven science, including long-term monitoring and mapping programs
• ANARI to develop a comprehensive data model of the Australian Antarctic Territory
• Australian Antarctic Division (AAD) to identify all Australian Antarctic science (beyond that done under the Australian Antarctic Science Program or within the Australian Antarctic Territory)
• All competitive science grant assessments to be undertaken by the Australian Research Council (ARC)
• All marine science voyage assessments to be undertaken in a single integrated process by the Marine National Facility (MNF) and AAD
• New impact (performance) measures for the program to be developed by the council.
   

Furthermore, the council’s formation delivers on the government’s Australian Antarctic Strategy and 20 Year Action Plan to increase Antarctic research. The government has committed more than $100 million over the next 10 years for Antarctic science, delivered through two new initiatives:

• The Antarctic Science Collaboration Initiative with $5 million per year for 10 years from 2019–20, delivered by the Department of Industry, Innovation and Science.
• The Special Research Initiative in Excellence in Antarctic Science with $8 million per year for seven years from January 2020, delivered by the Australian Research Council.
   

The Clarke Review and the government’s response can be found at www.environment.gov.au/antarctic-review.

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