Peter Whish-Wilson (Tasmania, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to Senator Brandis, the Leader of the Government in the Senate, representing the Prime Minister. Last Friday, the Japanese government gave notice to the International Whaling Commission that they are going to commence the illegal and barbaric practice of whaling in the Southern Ocean this summer. In 2013, the environment minister, Greg Hunt, said:

We’ve got blood in the water and a blind eye in Canberra, it’s completely unacceptable … Whaling should never be occurring but for it to occur in Australian waters is an utter failure in Canberra.

It is 2015 and the harpoon boats are now heading back. What is the Australian government going to do to stop the impending slaughter?

George Brandis (Queensland, Liberal Party, Attorney-General) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Thank you, Senator Whish-Wilson. It is an important matter, and I am grateful to you for raising it. The Australian government is very disappointed by Japan's decision to resume whaling in the Southern Ocean this summer because Australia is, as you know, committed to the protection of whales. That is a position that has been held by both sides of politics since the days of the Fraser government.

The government has made representations at the highest level to urge Japan not to resume whaling this year. The science is clear that all the information necessary for the management and conservation of whales can, in our view, be obtained by nonlethal methods. That is a position, as you know, that was endorsed by the International Court of Justice. We will continue our efforts in the International Whaling Commission to promote whale conservation and uphold the global moratorium on commercial whaling.

Australia and Japan have a strong and productive relationship despite our differences on this issue. Both governments have consistently agreed not to let our differences on the issue of whaling affect the broader bilateral relationship. But, coming immediately to your question, Australia has taken the matter up at the highest levels and is urging Japan not to resume this practice.

Peter Whish-Wilson (Tasmania, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr President, I ask a supplementary question. Minister Hunt, also quoted:

The Government should stop turning a blind eye to whaling in our waters and should have a Customs vessel in the Southern Ocean … It’s time finally for the Government to be focusing on protecting our waters rather than protecting their own back.

The coalition government did go into the last election with a promise to send a Customs patrol vessel. Will you send it this summer to monitor the Japanese fleet as they head south to slaughter our whales?

George Brandis (Queensland, Liberal Party, Attorney-General) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Whish-Wilson, if I may say so we are getting a little ahead of ourselves. We are taking this matter up with the Japanese to see if they can be persuaded not to resume the practice of whaling. Might I respectfully suggest that we wait and see what the outcome of those diplomatic representations is? In the event that those diplomatic representations are not met with success then that is certainly an option before the government.

Peter Whish-Wilson (Tasmania, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr President, I ask a further supplementary question. I am disappointed that Attorney-General has said this issue will not affect our broader bilateral agreements on issues such as trade. Why would the Prime Minister not raise this issue in relation to a multibillion-dollar submarine contract when he meets the Japanese in two weeks time?

George Brandis (Queensland, Liberal Party, Attorney-General) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Perhaps you misunderstood me. I did not say that the Prime Minister would not be raising the issue with the Prime Minister of Japan. I said that this matter will be being pursued at the highest levels.

Peter Whish-Wilson (Tasmania, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr President, I rise on a point of order. I want to highlight that my question was in relation to giving the Japanese government a submarine contract. Would he raise it directly in relation to that issue?

Stephen Parry (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The Attorney-General has concluded his answer. In any event, Senator Whish-Wilson, your final supplementary question delved into new material. I did not pull you up on it at the time. I think that the Attorney-General has nothing further to answer and nothing further to add.