The Federal Government of Australia laid out $2.4 million (Australian dollars) to help rescue the ship full of global warming true believers, who got ice-bound in Antarctic waters they were dead certain had to be melting. And now it wants to paid back for that needless expense. Watt's Up With That cites this Australian news report:

Federal Environment Minister Greg Hunt yesterday said costs, estimated at about $2.4 million, would be sought from the insurer of the operators of the vessel.

The MV Akademik Shokalskiy, chartered by the University of NSW-associated Australasian Antarctic Expedition to retrace the steps of explorer Sir Douglas Mawson, became stuck in thick sea ice on Christmas Eve.

The 52 passengers were rescued by the Aurora Australis on January 2.

Mr Hunt said the Commonwealth would seek compensation for the recovery effort.

"We will be seeking full cost recovery through insurers for the up to $2.4 million costs incurred by the Australian government," he said.

But, as WUWT notes:

About 2.30pm the weather deteriorated. At the same time Captain Kiselev saw slabs of sea ice moving into the open water channel from which the ship had entered the area. He called for everyone to return.

A passenger standing near Professor Turney overheard the voyage leader, Greg Mortimer, telling him over the radio to bring passengers back to the ship so it can leave.

But minutes later, Professor Turney drove six more passengers into the field.

...the insurers will likely say the incident was caused by negligence on the part of Dr. Chris Turney, and toss the claim back in their laps.

I can hardly wait for the lawsuits and depositions to begin.

And, don't forget, the Government of China also dispatched an ice breaker to the rescue, and should get paid back for its efforts as well. I would love to see this degenerate into a lawyer's festival, with insurance companies suing Tunney, and Tunney suing his rich warmist passengers, and everyone suing Al Gore for spinning the fantasy in the first place and walking off with countless millions of dollars from the hoax.

A guy can dream, can't he?

Hat tip: Clarice Feldman