Joint media release: Future of Australian Antarctic Program in Tasmania secured

Prime Minister of Australia, the Hon Anthony Albanese MP
Premier of Tasmania, the Hon Jeremy Rockliffe MP
Minister for the Environment and Water, the Hon Tanya Plibersek MP

An agreement between the Federal and Tasmanian Government for a new, fit-for-purpose Macquarie Wharf 6 has been reached, locking in Tasmania as Australia’s Antarctic and Southern Ocean Gateway.

The Albanese Government will contribute $188 million over four years to construct a new Macquarie Wharf 6 in the Port of Hobart.

The Tasmanian Government will provide priority access to Macquarie Wharf 6 as the home port for RSV Nuyina for the next 30 years, continued access to existing portside facilities during the construction period, access to shoreside power, and a refuelling solution for RSV Nuyina in the Port of Hobart.

RSV Nuyina is the main lifeline to Australia’s Antarctic and sub-Antarctic research stations and the central platform of Australia’s Antarctic and Southern Ocean scientific research. It’s essential that it’s able to dock in Hobart.

Wharf construction will be managed by the Tasmanian Government and will begin next year.

Quotes attributable to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese:

“What this means is Tasmania will remain Australia’s gateway to Antarctica, as it should be.

“This is an investment in Hobart, an investment in Tasmania and an investment in the future of Australian science.”

Quotes attributable to Premier Jeremy Rockliff:

“This agreement secures a fit-for-purpose home port for the Nuyina and locks in Tasmania’s future as the home of the Australian Antarctic Program.

“As part of the agreement we will also deliver appropriate refuelling infrastructure for the Nuyina and other vessels coming into Hobart.

“Tasmania has a proud heritage of supporting Antarctic and Southern Ocean endeavours with explorers and scientists using the port of Hobart as a base for expeditions since the 19th century.

“As part of our Government’s 2030 Strong Plan for Tasmania’s Future, we will continue to promote and develop our world-leading Antarctic Gateway to grow jobs, maritime services, trade and investment, education, science and research, and visitor opportunities.”

Quotes attributable to Minister for the Environment and Water Tanya Plibersek:

“It’s absolutely fantastic that we’ve reached an agreement so the Australian Antarctic Program will have fit-for-purpose wharf infrastructure so they can continue world-leading Antarctic science based out of Hobart.

“I know how important being Australia’s gateway to Antarctica is to Tasmania. The Antarctic and Southern Ocean sector employs nearly 1,000 people in Tasmania and contributes more than $183 million each year to the Tasmanian economy.

“That’s why we’ve contributed $188 million towards a new home for the Nuyina and it’s why we have increased funding for the Australian Antarctic Division by more than half a billion since coming to government.”