Melting ice, oil wars... It was bound to happen sooner or later:

[Dead_Parrot]

Australia moves to militarise Antarctic

The prospect of a militarised Antarctica has been raised with Australia being urged to sharply increase military capability there so as to head off competition from other countries.

The Australian Strategic Policy Institute says Australia could need a war-fighting capability to prevent nations staking claims on its Antarctic territory and to address disputes on oil, fisheries and other resources.

In New Zealand, the proposal won support from Peter Cozens, director of Victoria University's centre for strategic studies, who said we should also consider boosting our military presence in Antarctica.
...
The Australian institute's report warned Australia it was being complacent about the 1959 Antarctic Treaty, which demilitarises the region. Other countries had greater aircraft ability to penetrate Australia's claim than it did. There was nothing to stop countries setting up bases in Australia's Antarctic Territory and there was the potential for conflict over oil if it reached US$200 a barrel, {Potential? If? Gotta love the press...:)} making it viable to take from the continent.

More at link.

Hands up who's surprised.
Anyone? No?

[phantom power]

1. Makes sense. They've already started fighting over the arctic.

[NNadir]

2. Well someone will have to administer the new corn farms.

Why not the Australians?

For serfs, the Australians could mine huge deposits of climate change refugees. I'll bet all those folks on vanishing islands would love dry ground to stand on, and would work real hard for the right to do so.