Jenny McAllister (NSW, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Emergency Management) Share this | Hansard source

As you know, Australia has been a world leader in advocating for the protection and conservation of whales, and, under this government, we will continue to advocate for the protection and conservation of whales and the health of our oceans for future generations. Minister Plibersek made a statement on 1 August indicating that we are deeply disappointed by Japan's decision to expand its commercial whaling program by adding fin whales. They are the second-largest of all whales, and, as you've indicated, they are considered vulnerable to extinction by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. I note that this decision expands Japan's commercial whaling program beyond the Bryde's, the minke and sei whales that are already caught.

We understand that Japan's whaling will continue to operate within its territorial waters and exclusive economic zone. We've made strong representations to the Japanese government, and I understand that an answer was recently tabled in response to a question that you, Senator Whish-Wilson, asked in estimates about this. As at 19 July this year, the government had communicated on eight occasions with Japan about its decision to add fin whales to its allowable catch list. The foreign minister and Australian officials have expressed disappointment at this proposal, and we've noted that we are opposed to all forms of commercial whaling. This has included multiple representations from Minister Wong and the Secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

I can update you that, in June, Australia led a united representation with like-minded countries to express our serious concern about the Japanese government's proposal. This included the EU, the UK, New Zealand and the United States. As I've already said, we are deeply disappointed by the decision.