Who is the group awarded $443m to save the reef?

It was a classic piece of public relations. A week before the budget, the federal government announced it was committing half-a-billion dollars to the ailing Great Barrier Reef, with the immediate aims of enhancing water quality, culling outbreaks of invasive crown of thorns starfish and boosting scientific research funds that might aid the reef’s “resilience”.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull visits the
 Australian Institute of Marine Science in Queensland.

There was no mention of climate change. That should not be surprising. The Turnbull government remains at war with itself over climate and energy policy, with many of its own members openly derisive of climate science and questioning Australia’s commitment to the Paris agreement to keep rises in global average temperatures to below 2 degrees Celsius.

That cohort predictably includes former prime minister Tony Abbott and his backers.

Read the story by Andrew Stafford from The Saturday Paper - “Who is the group awarded $443m to save the reef?”

Australia risks being crushed by Antarctic rivals Russia and China, scientists say

Australia risks ceding its influence in Antarctica to nations such as Russia and China because drastic cuts to scientific research are eroding its credibility in the region, respected scientists say.

Australia is losing ground in Antarctica, scientists warn.

They include the Australian Academy of Science, comprising more than 500 of the nation’s leading scientists, which has warned of Australia’s diminishing ability to address its Antarctic interests including its geopolitical claim, sustainable fishing in the Southern Ocean, climate change research and international Antarctic governance.

Australia has sovereignty over 42 per cent of Antarctica – almost six million square kilometres. It has traditionally played a commanding role in the affairs of the continent, largely due to its infrastructure assets and capability.

Read the story from today’s Age by Nicole Hasham - “Australia risks being crushed by Antarctic rivals Russia and China, scientists say.”