Lowy Institute

Australia's ability to preserve its massive Antarctic sovereignty claim is under long-term threat, according to a policy paper released today by leading think tank the Lowy Institute.

International interest in Antarctica is rising, with major powers such as China and Russia voicing their interest in the continent's potential for minerals and energy. Resource exploitation in Antarctica is currently prohibited under an international treaty but countries can withdraw from this after 2048.

The paper raises questions about Australia's ability to preserve its claim to 42 per cent of the continent. Most of the stations on Australia's claimed territory belong to other nations, including China and Russia.

Australia's limited Antarctic activity is based almost entirely on science and environmental issues and does not reflect national security or energy concerns, the paper notes.

Meanwhile Australia lacks the kind of ski-planes it needs to reach important parts of its Antarctic claim, and its one ageing ice-breaking ship is currently diverted to fill the Navy's amphibious capability gap.

The paper, Antarctica: Assessing and Protecting Australia's National Interests, urges Canberra to:

Shift Antarctic policy from the environment portfolio to the Attorney-General's department, to reflect security and sovereignty concerns;

• Push for international inspections of all countries' Antarctic stations;
• Modernise Australia's three Antarctic stations, buy ski-equipped aircraft to access more of Australia's claimed territory and look into buying a second ice-breaking vessel, for patrols against illegal fishing and to help assert the Australian territorial claim;
• Define Australia's strategic interests in Antarctica in the next Defence White Paper, look at involving military personnel in Antarctic activities, and consider joint surveillance with New Zealand using unmanned aircraft.

The director of the Lowy Institute's international security program, Rory Medcalf, said that the paper was a ‘timely warning' that Australia was falling behind in its ability to safeguard its interests in the frozen continent.

"Australia is at risk of being left behind in a future age of energy and strategic competition in Antarctica," he said.

"There is a real chance that the treaty system banning resource exploitation in Antarctica will not last."

The full text of the paper can be accessed here.