THE HON TANYA PLIBERSEK MP
DEPUTY LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION
SHADOW MINISTER FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT
MEMBER FOR SYDNEY
THE HON MARK DREYFUS QC MP
SHADOW MINISTER FOR THE ARTS
MEMBER FOR ISAACS
THE HON MARK BUTLER MP
SHADOW MINISTER FOR ENVIRONMENT,
CLIMATE CHANGE AND WATER
MEMBER FOR PORT ADELAIDE
TURNBULL MUST DEMAND JAPAN CEASE ILLEGAL WHALING PROGRAMS
Labor deplores the decision of the Japanese Government this year to ignore the ruling of the International Court of Justice and to re-commence the slaughter of whales in the Southern Ocean.
Malcolm Turnbull must use his meetings in Japan with Prime Minister Abe to bring all pressure to bear on Japan to follow the ruling of the International Court of Justice.
Less than two years ago Australia won a resounding victory in the International Court of Justice. The Court agreed with Australia that Japan's so-called scientific whaling program in the Southern Ocean was in truth commercial whaling dressed in the lab coat of science, and was in breach of Japan's obligations under international law.
At the time, the Japanese Government said that it would comply with the ruling of the highest court in the world. Japans decision to resume whaling this summer, and its declaration to withdraw from the jurisdiction of the International Court of Justice with respect to whaling, is completely inconsistent with that undertaking.
If Japan refuses to comply with its clear international legal obligations, then Labor calls on the Turnbull Government to immediately commence further legal action.
FRIDAY, 18 DECEMBER 2015
