Australia ‘can’t defend’ Antarctic oil

Australia claims almost half of Antarctica but has negligible capacity to fend off an interloper intent on seizing territory or pirating resources.

A paper released today by the Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI) said Antarctica was effectively demilitarised, peaceful and with a ban on mineral resource exploration until 2048.

But attitudes could change quickly, especially as the world runs short of oil.
The report’s authors, ASPI research director Dr Anthony Bergin and Antarctic cooperative research centre program leader Dr Marcus Howard, said the 1961 Antarctic Treaty effectively froze out new territorial claims, leaving only Australia and six other countries with Antarctic territory.

Australia has the largest slice – claiming 42 per cent of the Antarctic landmass covering 5.9 million square kilometres.

Dr Bergin and Dr Howard said the Antarctic treaty wasn’t universally recognised, but no one actually disputed Australian sovereignty and there were no counter-claims against Australia’s, unlike some others.

However, this favourable situation might not endure indefinitely and Australia could not afford to be complacent.

Antarctica possesses vast mineral wealth and substantial offshore oil reserves and there is nothing to stop any nation establishing a presence, then starting prospecting.

For example, it has been suggested Antarctic oil could become viable if dwindling world oil reserves send the price to US$200 a barrel and spark an oil rush among desperate nations.

Courier Mail