2023-10-05
Senate inquiry hearings into Australian Antarctic Division (AAD) funding mismanagement have exposed the Division is in turmoil.
A staggering level of incompetence in the Division's governance has been identified, resulting in harrowing impacts on science staff and capabilities.
Damning evidence to the committee over the past two days includes:
- Revelations of a $42 million AAD budget overspend with an admission from the AAD of “ongoing issues with Budget transparency”, resulting in cost cutting and budget restraints that have impacted the delivery of science in the Antarctic.
- Distress from AAD staff who “dread” coming into the office and face extreme stress in “a hostile work environment where there is bullying and where funding is uncertain”.
- Frustration from UTAS and other scientists that no field work has been conducted in Antarctica investigating critical marginal sea ice movements for over a decade.
- Alarm from CPSU delegates and members about a “culture of secrecy”, project funding being used as a bullying tactic, and “at least half a dozen” current AAD employees who had felt pressured not to give evidence.
- Incredulity expressed by TasPorts on why the government didn’t listen to warnings dating back to 2018 that its $528m ice-breaking research ship - RSV Nuyina - which resupplies Australia’s three Antarctic stations and conducts crucial climate research was too big to safely pass underneath Hobart’s bridge to refuel.
The inquiry was initiated following the Albanese Government’s failure to set the record straight and address rising fears about what science programs will be axed as a result of a $25 million cut the AAD’s operating budget..
Quotes attributable to Greens spokesperson for healthy oceans, Senator Peter Whish-Wilson:
“We knew going into this inquiry that certain matters relating to the AAD’s governance were dysfunctional, but I never could have imagined just how toxic the situation had become - especially for our nation’s Antarctic scientists.
“The AAD self-identified a shocking $42 million overspend and ongoing issues with budget transparency - and whether or not the Division likes to admit it, this has resulted in budget restraints that have impacted Australia’s delivery of critical science programs in the Antarctic.
“Deeply personal witness testimony to the AAD inquiry has been devastating and has indicated a staggering level of incompetence in the Division’s governance that has resulted in harrowing impacts on scientists and their critical work. People’s lives have been dramatically impacted by the dysfunction of the AAD’s workplace culture and historic poor decision making.
“It’s now incumbent on the Senate to provide a strong majority report with recommendations that can fix this mess, and for the Government to listen and restore critical funding for Antarctic science programs, as well as implement long-term structural change.
“MPs from across the political spectrum who attended the hearings were in solidarity about wanting to find a solution to this mess - but only the Government has the power to implement meaningful change.”