Rachel Siewert (WA, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

In June this year, two Greenpeace campaigners, now known as the Tokyo Two—

Chris Evans (WA, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Government in the Senate) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr President, I raise a point of order. The senator has not indicated to whom the question is directed. In order to make sure that the minister is tuned in, I suspect it would be useful.

John Hogg (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

That is a valid point of order. Senator Siewert, start again and include to whom the question is directed.

Rachel Siewert (WA, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is directed to the Minister representing the Minister for Foreign Affairs. In June this year, two Greenpeace campaigners, now known as the Tokyo Two—Junicho Sato and Toru Suzuki—were arrested by Japanese authorities for their efforts in exposing a widespread whale meat scandal in Japan. They have been in jail and under house arrest for 145 days. Amnesty has protested the arrest as politically motivated, and the UN Human Rights Committee has severely reprimanded the Japanese government for ‘unreasonable restrictions placed on freedom of expression in Japan’. What efforts, if any, have been undertaken by Australia in negotiating for fair treatment and proper justice for the Tokyo Two? Has the Prime Minister raised this issue with Japan and has the Australian government investigated whether the actions of the Japanese authorities are a breach of international law under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights?

John Faulkner (NSW, Australian Labor Party, Cabinet Secretary) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I have some information in response to Senator Siewert’s question, but I do not have any specific knowledge of the last two elements. I can confirm that on 15 May this year, as Senator Siewert said in the preamble to her question, a report was released byGreenpeace on the alleged theft and sale on the black market of whale meat by crew members of Japan’s factory ship, the Nisshin Maru. The report called on Japanese prosecutors to investigate what was alleged corruption. There was a public report on 20 June that two Greenpeace activists—both Japanese citizens who were named by Senator Siewert in her question—had been arrested.

I am certainly aware that the two Japanese Greenpeace employees have been charged by Japanese authorities with respect to the alleged theft of whale meat. My understanding is that the two activists who were charged were in fact released on bail on 11 July. I would stress that this is a domestic law enforcement matter for the Japanese government, as I am sure senators are aware, to be dealt with under Japanese domestic law and in accordance with what are longstanding protocols, about which, as I think it would be known to senators, it would not be appropriate for the Australian government to comment further.

I am asked by Senator Siewert specifically whether the Prime Minister has raised this matter with his counterparts. I am not aware of that. If I can provide any information on that, I will. I am also asked by Senator Siewert if Australia has investigated whether there has been any breach of international law or UN convention. I think this is very unlikely, given the protocols that exist in relation to the way these matters are dealt with. But if there is any further information on that matter I will certainly provide it to you.

Rachel Siewert (WA, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr President, I ask a supplementary question. The whale meat scandal has exposed widespread theft of whale meat by the Japanese whaling crew this year in Japan. I wonder whether the Australian government has obtained advice on whether these revelations are a breach of Japan’s so-called research whaling program, which is allowable under International Whaling Commission rules, and has the Australian government pursued this matter with the IWC?

John Faulkner (NSW, Australian Labor Party, Cabinet Secretary) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I think the matters contained in at least the latter part of your question would not ordinarily be handled by the Minister for Foreign Affairs, although he might have knowledge of them. My colleague the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and the Arts has primary responsibility in relation to the IWC. I simply cannot provide any information to you today on this matter. I will seek any advice I can in this instance not only from the Minister for Foreign Affairs but also from the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and the Arts on the element in your supplementary question about the International Whaling Commission. For the reasons I have outlined before, I think it is unlikely there has been a breach but, if I can provide information to the senator, I certainly will.