The Australian Antarctic Division has cemented the role of science in its work, choosing internationally recognised Chief Scientist Nick Gales as its new director.
Dr Gales' experience ranges from tagging whales at the bow of a zodiac dinghy, to giving evidence in Australia's winning International Court of Justice case against Japan over whaling.
He succeeds Dr Tony Fleming, a botanist, who is retiring after four years directing Australia's Antarctic scientific and operational programs, and as the country's main polar diplomat.
"I think this sends out a particularly good signal about how science is treated in Australia's Antarctic priorities," Dr Gales said on Thursday.
A veterinarian and marine mammal biologist, Dr Gales, 56, is the son of a widely travelled British Army family who completed his education in Perth, Western Australia.
He came to the Antarctic Division in 2001, to assess the controversial hot-iron branding of elephant seals on Macquarie Island. His report contributed to the program's cancellation.
With the division he directed the development of the Australian Marine Mammal Centre and argued Australia's case at the International Whaling Commission. He was made Chief Scientist in 2011.
Among his challenges, Dr Gales will be responsible for managing the $1 billion acquisition of a new polar icebreaker, after only one tender was presented in the bidding process, by Serco's DMS Maritime.
He said he hoped to take a role in communicating to Australians the vital importance of Antarctica, particularly as a driver of the climate system.
