Australia facing climate challenges, Antarctica’s commitment in question

Rain in Australia has brought one of its deserts alive while a new commentary sheds light on the country's commitment to Antarctica. Labor is now under scrutiny following a closer look at Australia's Antarctica program and the threats to it.

A report by BBC showed one of Australia's deserts coming to life thanks to heavy rains that poured over the region recently. According to the report, Australia's vast Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre has filled up. The dry salt plains along 700 kilometers (435 miles) north of Adelaide also saw water streaming into them recently. Pictures from pilot Trevor Wright proved how the heavy rains have affected the region. Should the Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre fill up again, this will be the country's largest lake. The area only fills up a limited number of times within a century.

The frequency and extent of rainfall for the coming days will determine how big the lake can be for the year. More water is expected to pour into the lake in the next months especially from rivers from southwest and central Queensland.

Apart from the rains creating lakes out of Australia's deserts, the country's Antarctica program has come under review last Monday. According to The Australian, Labor senator David Fenney discussed the threats to the program. However, as the same report noted, the senator seemed like he was trying to revise history while also shrugging off the Labor's financial neglect. Fortunately, the gaping holes in the funding have been filled with real funding on three accounts: funding for central platform in terms of general commitment, resolution on the considerable budget black hole and investment on Antarctica-related activities.

"Modern, sophisticated research and transport systems are critical to Australia continuing to lead a world-class Antarctic program into the future and to maintaining our position as a leading Antarctic nation," wrote The Australian's Greg Hunt.

"We already have world-class scientific capabilities and we’re committed to building on our very firm foundations so we can expand our role as an international leader in scientific research and environmental protection," he added.