List of recommendations

Recommendation 1

5.28The committee recommends the Australian Antarctic Division (AAD) immediately develop and publish annual accountability metrics and performance targets, which better support and promote the role of Antarctic science. Such metrics should include (but not be limited to):

details of science funding as a percentage of the operational budget of the AAD;

the proportion of AAD staff engaged in a science role as a percentage of all AAD staff, with a breakdown of ongoing, non‑ongoing and contractor positions;

the development and utilisation of science infrastructure in Antarctica, including science beds on bases;

the number of science projects supported, not supported or otherwise delayed; and

the use of the RSV Nuyina in Antarctic research and how the RSV Nuyina will be utilised in future years.

5.29The committee recommends the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water release a discussion paper with proposed accountability metrics and annual performance targets, with details on how these metrics will be improved and increased over time.

Recommendation 2

5.39The committee recommends the Australian Antarctic Division (AAD) commission an independent review of the management, culture and performance of the AAD’s operations and logistics branches. The review should consider how these sections of the AAD interact with and support the endeavours of the Science Branch. The review should be completed as soon as possible, to contribute to the development and implementation of an integrated planning model at the AAD.

Recommendation 3

5.40The committee recommends that the Australian Antarctic Division prioritise the development and implementation of an integrated planning model, as recommended by the Australian Antarctic Science Program Governance Review of December 2017 (the ‘Clarke Review’).

Recommendation 4

5.41The committee recommends the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water implement all recommendations of the Independent Review of Workplace Culture and Change at the Australian Antarctic Division (AAD) and table in the Senate a full government response to the Independent Review, no later than 30 June 2024.

Recommendation 5

5.47The committee recommends that the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water release the draft Decadal Plan, including the six draft science outcome statements, as soon as possible. A brief public consultation period should follow the release of the draft Decadal Plan, to ensure it reflects the views of the Antarctic scientific community.

Recommendation 6

5.48The committee recommends that the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water finalise the Decadal Plan and provide it to the Minister for the Environment and Water within three months of appointment of a new Chief Scientist to the Australian Antarctic Division, or no later than 31 October 2024, whichever is earlier.

5.49The committee recommends that the Decadal Plan be endorsed by the Australian Government and fully funded as part of the 2025-26 Budget. The Decadal Plan should be made public as soon as finalised, and no later than the end of 2024.

Recommendation 7

5.54The committee recommends the Australian Antarctic Division immediately readvertise the 20 positions which were originally announced in 2022-23, and progress the recruitment for ongoing staff wherever possible, and for staffing within the Science Branch.

Recommendation 8

5.67The committee recommends that the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, through endorsement of the Expenditure Review Committee, include in all future Budgets a line item specifically identifying the Antarctic science appropriation for each Budget year and across the forward estimates.

Recommendation 9

5.72The committee recommends the Australian Government, as a matter of urgency, provide ongoing annual funding to the Special Research Initiative in Excellence in Antarctic Science, to be indexed annually and incorporated into the Decadal Plan on an ongoing basis.

Recommendation 10

5.73The committee recommends the Australian Government immediately transfer Australian Research Council funding for Antarctic science, including the Special Research Initiative in Excellence in Antarctic Science, to the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water.

Recommendation 11

5.77The committee recommends the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade review the current arrangements for its dedicated Antarctic office, so that it better co‑ordinates and promotes Australia’s whole‑of‑government scientific, strategic and geopolitical engagement with Antarctica. The review should consider whether the DFAT Antarctic office is adequately resourced and supported by an appropriate number of full‑time staff.

Recommendation 12

5.81The committee recommends that the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water review the terms of reference for the Australian Antarctic Science Council (AASC). The review should be broad but include consideration of at least the following matters:

the membership of the AASC;

implementing a process for declaring and managing conflicts of interest; and

the extent to which the AASC should have responsibility for the allocation of Antarctic science funding.

Recommendation 13

5.89The committee recommends the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water develop as a matter of priority a business case for the acquisition of a second vessel to support Australia’s presence in Antarctica. Such a vessel should be deployed primarily for logistics, to allow the RSVNuyina to be deployed with a greater focus and frequency on science projects.

Recommendation 14

5.94The committee recommends the Australian Government increase funding to Antarctic shipping to enable the RSV Nuyina to ship 250-300 days per year, and to include contingency funding for the hiring or leasing of a second ship as needed.

Recommendation 15

5.97The committee recommends that the Australian and Tasmanian Governments and the Australian Antarctic Division work to swiftly resolve any outstanding matters related to the redevelopment of Wharf 6 at Macquarie Point, including issues of funding and the contract provisions with TasPorts, in a fair and appropriate manner. The committee further recommends that the AAD publicly provide a report on progress no later than 30 June 2025.

Recommendation 16

5.102The committee recommends that the Australian National Audit Office undertake its potential 2023-24 audit into the effectiveness of the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water’s management of Australia’s Antarctic presence, including arrangements to support Australia fulfilling its environmental responsibilities.