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

My question is to the Minister representing the Prime Minister, Senator Brandis. Last summer the Japanese whaling fleet went down to the Southern Ocean and slaughtered 333 minke whales, nearly half of them pregnant females with calves. It was announced on Friday night that the Japanese whaling fleet—five harpoon vessels—have left for their Southern Ocean slaughter. Will you condemn the Japanese whaling fleet and the Japanese government, which sponsors and finances this whaling fleet? Will you take the opportunity to do so now?

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

Governments on both sides of politics in Australia have taken a common position of opposition to Japanese whaling in the Southern Ocean. We have taken a common position in the International Court of Justice and in the International Whaling Commission. We do condemn Japanese whaling. We call upon Japan to abide by the decisions of the International Court of Justice and the International Whaling Commission. In relation to the announcement that was made on Friday night, I think it is appropriate for me to allow my colleague the Minister for the Environment and Energy to state the government's specific position in relation to that particular announcement. As to our attitude towards Japanese whaling in the Southern Ocean, there has never been any ambiguity whatsoever.

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

Senator Whish-Wilson, is there a supplementary question?

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

It would be nice to hear some public comments. In relation to the comments this morning by the New Zealand Prime Minister, Mr John Key, that he will be meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in APEC to raise this issue with him directly, can you tell the Senate whether the Prime Minister also plans to meet with the Japanese Prime Minister and raise this issue with him directly?

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

I am not aware of whether the Prime Minister proposes a meeting with Prime Minister or, if there were to be such a meeting, what the particular items on the Prime Minister's agenda would be.

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

Senator Whish-Wilson, is there a final supplementary question?

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

You mentioned that there has been bipartisan support across the chamber against Japanese whaling. In your seven years in opposition, every summer you said you would send a patrol boat to the Southern Ocean during the whaling season if you got into government. It was a policy of your government in 2010 and 2013. Can you confirm to the Senate whether it is still government policy to send a Customs vessel to the Southern Ocean this summer to monitor the Japanese whaling fleet, and will you finally do so? (Time expired)

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

As you know, from time to time Australian governments on both sides of politics have sent Australian vessels to the Southern Ocean to monitor Japanese whaling and to monitor compliance with decisions of the International Court of Justice and the International Whaling Commission. I will take on notice the particular level of operational engagement which the Australian government may choose to adopt this summer.