Extract from ABC News
Updated
Photo:
Several groups have spoken out against the decision to close the island's research station. (M Murphy: Wikimedia Commons)
After intense public pressure, the Federal Government
has announced it is looking at reversing a decision to end Australia's
year-round presence on Macquarie Island.
Earlier this week the Australian Antarctic Division revealed its plans to close its research station on the island from March, in favour of conducting research from field huts during summer only.Several researchers, climate scientists and groups including Birdlife Tasmania voiced their concerns over the decision.
Federal Environment Minister Josh Frydenberg revealed in a statement the decision could be reversed.
"I have had further consultations with key stakeholders, including the Bureau of Meteorology, the Premier of Tasmania and my federal parliamentary colleagues," he said.
"I have now asked my department to provide me
with options to ensure a permanent all-year-round presence on the
island is maintained. In the meantime, operations on Macquarie Island
will continue as normal.
"Tasmania's Macquarie Island will remain an important part of the Government's climate science and Antarctic research agenda."Mr Frydenberg said the Government was already investing $1.9 billion for a new ice breaker and an additional $255 million in funding over the next ten years for Australia's Antarctic operations.
Greens welcome 'backflip'
Greens senator Peter Whish-Wilson has welcomed the decision."This is a backflip from the Minister, but it's a good backflip," he said.
"I've got no doubt the Minister knew about the initial decision, [and] he's come under a lot of pressure from the community, from Tasmanian MPs, the Premier to his credit.
"Decisions without consultation, snap decisions made without any consultation, are not the way to go."Senator Whish-Wilson said he wanted more federal funding for the island.
"What we need to do now is look at how we can modernise the infrastructure, we'd actually like to see a bigger commitment to our presence on Macquarie Island and the scientific studies that are occurring there, we'd like to see a presence around illegal fishing," he said.
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