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 QC MP
SHADOW ATTORNEY-GENERAL
SHADOW MINISTER FOR NATIONAL SECURITY
MEMBER FOR ISAACS
ILLEGAL WHALING RESUMED WHILE TURNBULL MEETS JAPANS PM
Labor condemns the resumption of illegal whaling by a Japanese fleet inside the Southern Ocean whale sanctuary, reported over the weekend.
Shockingly, the slaughter occurred while Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull was meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.
Labor called on Mr Turnbull to raise the issue with Mr Abe during his visit, apparently with little result.
Footage captured is the first photographic evidence that Japanese whaling continues since Australia, led by Labor, won against Japans whaling program in the International Court of Justice in 2014.
Despite the international court ruling that Japans whaling is illegal, whalers have continued their trade under the guise of scientific research - a claim found by the court to be entirely false.
The Turnbull Government has been absent on this issue for too long, but it is not too late there is still time for Australia to act instead of standing by as hundreds of Minke whales are killed this season.
We need to respond when we see the law broken, and a ruling by the International Court of Justice flouted.
Australians have voiced strong opposition to the ongoing, unnecessary slaughter of whales by Japan.
Labor calls on Prime Minister Turnbull to stand firm on this issue, and to pursue all available legal avenues to end illegal whaling in the Southern Ocean.
MONDAY, 16 JANUARY 2017
