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Antarctica: coming in from the cold?
Posted By Peter Jennings on September 16, 2013 @ 06:00
Since the April 2013 publication of my previous post on Antarctica, two events have added further to the picture of Australia’s strategic interests in Antarctica. The first was the release of a new defence white paper and the second a policy statement from the then Opposition but which today becomes the incoming government. The former just marked time as far as Antarctica was concerned, but the latter suggests that we might see some real progress in pursuing our interests on and around the southern continent.
2.76 There is no credible risk of Australia’s national interests in the Southern Ocean and the Australian Antarctic Territory being challenged in ways that might require substantial military responses over the next few decades. The Antarctic Treaty System provides for the international governance and management of Antarctica and sets aside use of Antarctica for peaceful purposes, with a particular emphasis on scientific research and environmental protection. The Antarctic Treaty’s ‘Madrid Protocol’ prohibits any activity relating to mineral resource exploitation other than scientific research, and until 2048 can only be amended by unanimous consent. Australia is a strong advocate of the Antarctic Treaty System and its goals.
2.77 There is, however, increasing international interest in Antarctica, including in Australia’s Antarctic Territory. Australia has forged operational and scientific cooperation relationships with several nations and will continue to monitor the strategic implications of international developments in the Antarctic region. To date, the Antarctic Treaty System has been well respected, but in coming decades it may come under pressure as resources become more scarce elsewhere.
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[1] Image: http://www.aspistrategist.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/australian_flag_antarctica.jpg
[2] my previous post on Antarctica: https://www.aspistrategist.org.au../antarctica-and-the-defence-white-paper-snow-job/
[3] a new defence white paper: http://www.defence.gov.au/whitepaper2013/docs/WP_2013_web.pdf
[4] a policy statement: http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/federal-election-2013/coalition-promises-antarctic-catchup-20130829-2sshn.html
[5] 20 Year Australian Antarctic Strategic Plan: http://www.liberal.org.au/latest-news/2013/08/29/greg-hunt-20-year-australian-antarctic-strategic-plan
[6] Australian Antarctic Division: http://www.antarctica.gov.au/living-and-working/stations/mawson/this-week-at-mawson/2012/this-week-at-mawson-21-september-2012/3