Sea link has slowed Antarctic research: Hill
The Federal Environment Minister, Robert Hill, says Australia's Antarctic research program has fallen behind other nations because of its reliance on a sea link to the Antarctic.
He says many nations have an air-link to their bases, and Australia may be missing out on top scientists who do not have the time to travel to Antarctica by ship.
Senator Hill says until an air-link to Australian bases is established, the Antarctic program will continue to be disadvantaged.
"We have fallen behind and I think that is unfair to our scientists," Senator Hill said.
"It may well result in not always getting the best scientists willing to contribute. I'm treating this as a serious issue and when we get the scoping report in July we'll be able to work out the future from there," he said.