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
TURNBULL MUST BREAK SILENCE ON JAPANESE WHALING
Labor encourages Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull to use this weekend's visit from Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to raise the issue of illegal Japanese whaling happening now in protected waters.
Despite sightings of Japanese whaling ships off Antarctica, there has been absolutely no action from the Government.
Japanese whaling ships have been sighted with their harpoons uncovered in the Southern Ocean, where a moratorium on whaling in currently in effect.
This is happening in areas Australia recognises as being protected. Protection is meaningless if we turn a blind eye when these laws are being broken.
A case brought by Australia in 2014 produced an international court ruling that Japans whaling was illegal.
However, Japanese whalers continue their slaughter under the guise of scientific research, despite the meat from the research being sold in commercial markets.
Minke whales are known for being inquisitive, and will approach ships - making them an easy target for harpoons.
Australians have voiced their opposition to the hunting of whales - an animal which cannot be killed humanely.
Labor urges Mr Turnbull not to waste this weekend with Shinzo Abe - stopping whaling in the Southern Ocean desperately needs leadership from Australia.
SATURDAY, 14 JANUARY 2017
