The Australian Empire

The Australian Antarctic Territory covers an area of approximately 5,896,500 sq km. It includes all the islands and territories south of 60 South line of latitude and lying between 45 and 160 East lines of longitude. It excludes France’s claim over Adélie Land that lies between 136 and 142 East lines of longitude. The territory, like all Antarctic claims, is pie wedge in shape. The territory is inhabited only by the staff of research stations. The Australian Antarctic Division administers the area primarily by maintaining three year-round stations (Mawson, Davis and Casey), which support various research projects.

History

In 1907, Mawson joined the British Antarctic Expedition led by Ernest Shackleton as an expedition geologist where he achieved the first ascent of Mount Erebus and a member of the first team to reach the South Magnetic Pole. He led the 1911 Australian Antarctic Expedition to King George V Land and Adelie Land, the sector of the Antarctic continent immediately south of Australia, which at the time was almost entirely unexplored. The objectives were to carry out geographical exploration and scientific studies. Further expeditions followed in 1929–31.

Australia claimed the Australian Antarctic Territory by invoking the traditional proclamations and legal methods used by all nations for centuries. This involved an imperial Order in Council of 7 February 1933 followed by a Proclamation issued by the Governor-General on 24 Aug. 1936 after the passage of the Australian Antarctic Territory Acceptance Act, 1933.

International recognition of Antarctic claims has been put on hold by the 1959 Antarctic Treaty. This neither denies nor recognises the territorial claims by Australia, Argentina, Chile, France, New Zealand, Norway and United Kingdom. No claims have been made between 90 and 150 degrees west. The US and Russia have reserved the right to make claims.

Table 11 - Research Bases within the Australian Antarctic Territory

Figure 56 - Antarctic Claims                                                                   (Source: John Hopkins University)