How $804 million in government funding will be spent in Antarctica

The Australian Government will spend $804 million over the next decade to strengthen Australia’s capabilities in the Antarctic.

The money – which will fund drones, helicopters and vehicles – will enable Australia to explore parts of Antarctica which have previously been unreachable.

While Australia claims 42 per cent of Antarctica, Environment Minister Sussan Ley says “a lot of that we haven’t actually had a good look at”.

“This will allow us to understand the science of the continent better than before, and … to protect the world’s last untouched wilderness in a way that demonstrates our strength internationally is so important,” she told Neil Mitchell.

New Australian research vessel, the Nuyina, launched last year, and Ms Ley says it’s already uncovered “underwater canyons, and glaciers, and mountains” which were previously undiscovered.

Press PLAY below to hear the Environment Minister explain how the money will be spent