THE HON TONY BURKE MP
SHADOW MINISTER FOR THE ENVIRONMENT AND WATER
SHADOW MINISTER FOR CITIZENSHIP AND MULTICULTURAL AUSTRALIA
SHADOW MINISTER FOR THE ARTS
MEMBER FOR WATSON
THE HON MARK DREYFUS
SHADOW ATTORNEY-GENERAL
SHADOW MINISTER FOR NATIONAL SECURITY
MEMBER FOR ISAACS
THE GOVERNMENT NEEDS TO PREVENT JAPAN'S ILLEGAL WHALING ACTIVITIES
The announcement by Sea Shepherd today that it will no longer be conducting its protests in the Southern Ocean will put a renewed focus on what action the Australian Government is taking to prevent Japan from ignoring the agreed moratorium.
The global moratorium on commercial whaling has been a great generational environmental achievement.
Japan has for many years now been out of step with the rest of the world in its refusal to abide by the moratorium through its so called scientific research.
Species which had been driven to the brink of extinction are now seeing their numbers restored because of international efforts to end whaling.
When last in government Labor successfully won an action in the International Court of Justice with then Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus appearing on behalf of Australia which caused a temporary stay from Japan in its actions.
However, since the change of Government we have seen Japan return to commercial whaling through some minor adjustments in its method. Despite some good efforts by the current Government at the International Whaling Commission, as long as Japan is continuing this practice, the job is not done.
Labor calls on the Government to make clear what action, including international legal action it will now take to prevent Japan from engaging in whaling in the Southern Ocean next summer.
TUESDAY, 29 AUGUST 2017
