Australia’s Antarctic program faces $25m cut as Greens warn savings couldn’t come ‘at a worse time’

Australian Antarctic Division expeditioners near Mawson Station in Antarctica. ‘We will need to carefully consider our current staffing levels and the current focus of roles,’ ADD head Emma Campbell said in an email. Photograph: Adam Fulton/Australian Antarctic Division/AFP/Getty Images

The Australian Antarctic Division (AAD) must find $25m in savings this year as the government flags possible cuts to crucial scientific research and a dramatic reduction in outsourcing to expensive consultants to meet the target.

The new savings target – which represents about 16% of the division’s operating budget – is largely due to an overspend by the division. The federal greens have warned the cuts “couldn’t possibly come at a worse time” given Antarctic sea ice reached the lowest level on record earlier this year.