02/10/2005 - I am very pleased
to officially launch the Australian Government's
direct air connection between Hobart and Antarctica.
The Australian Antarctic Airlink will be funded
by $46.3 million over four years as part of
the Australian Government's $3.2 billion commitment
to the environment and heritage.
Australia is responsible for 42 per cent
of Antarctica, an area measuring almost 6
million square kilometres. The direct air
link is crucial to the proper discharge of
Australia's responsibilities in the Antarctic.
The proposed long-range jet aircraft between
Australia and Antarctica will make a significant
contribution to science and to our understanding
of the global climate system.
Hobart is the logical take-off point for
Antarctica with its already thriving Antarctic
community, and as the home of Antarctic shipping
other support services, and the Australian
Government's Antarctic division.
There will be major and continuing benefits
for Tasmania as Australia's recognised home
of Antarctic research.
The establishment of the Antarctic Airlink
will bring growing numbers of researchers
through Hobart, with a growing contribution
to the Tasmanian economy.
The Antarctic Airlink will more efficiently
transport scientists, enable a speedier delivery
of information and provide the capability
of enhanced surveillance of our Southern Ocean
fisheries and emergency medical evacuation
should the need arise.
As an international leader in Antarctic research,
Australia's scientists are involved in cutting
edge work in understanding the global climate
system, Southern Ocean ecosystems and biodiversity
and the impacts of human activities in Antarctica.
The Australian adventurer Sir Hubert Wilkins
was the first person to fly over the Antarctic
continent in 1928 but it was Sir Douglas Mawson
who first saw the potential for aerial exploration.
The Australian Government's decision last
year to heritage list Mawson's Huts at Commonwealth
Bay signalled to the world our proud pioneering
history in Antarctica.
The launch of the Antarctic Airlink represents
a new and exciting era in Australia's Antarctic
aviation history. The decision to fund this
important project demonstrates the Australian
Government's commitment to its Antarctic programme,
to maintaining our outstanding international
reputation and to continuing our world-class
research.
The Australian Government's Antarctic division
leads Australia's Antarctic programme. It
has already undertaken site trials for the
airstrip near Casey Station. Final preparations
will be completed in the coming summer season
with trial flights proposed in the 2006-2007
summer before the full service in 2007-2008.
The intercontinental connection will complement
the intra-continental air service that began
last season.
