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

My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for the Environment and Water, Senator McAllister. Fin whales are listed as vulnerable to extinction by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. What are your government's views on Japan's decision to add endangered fin whales to its commercial whaling program, and are you aware of disturbing reports that Japan has slaughtered its first fin whales in more than 50 years?

Jenny McAllister (NSW, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Emergency Management) Share this | Link to 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.

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Whish-Wilson, first supplementary?

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

Thank you, Minister, for your very strong and clear response. As you point out, Australia has been a leader in the International Whaling Commission to stop whaling over many decades, including successfully prosecuting a case in the International Court of Justice in 2014 against Japan for illegal whaling. Minister, will you now be pursuing this issue through the International Whaling Commission or seeking a new action through the International Court of Justice?

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

I understand that there will be a meeting of the International Whaling Commission in Peru in the coming months. Japan has withdrawn from the convention, and the matters raised are likely to occur within Japan's exclusive economic zone. Nonetheless, Australia will continue to play an active and vocal role in support of the whaling moratorium. In fact, we are continuing to build on our strong record against whaling. We continue to invest in the work of the International Whaling Commission as the appropriate global body for the regulation of whaling and the conservation of cetaceans. Australia is vice-chair of the commission for 2023-24, which increased Australia's influence and leadership in the global protection and management of whales and dolphins, and we have committed $1.5 million in addition to our regular annual contribution to support the effective functioning of the IWC, bolster its conservation agenda and support Australia's role as vice-chair. (Time expired)

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Whish-Wilson, second supplementary?

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

I'm sure all Australians support the very strong stance you're taking to protect whales. Two weeks ago, conservationist Paul Watson was arrested in Greenland by Danish authorities on his way to the North Pacific to protect endangered fin whales from the Japanese fleet. He is currently awaiting potential extradition to Japan for his previous activism to protect whales in Antarctica. Given Paul and his supporters gave us such a helping hand with stopping cruel whaling in the Southern Ocean, will your government now return the favour and advocate for Paul's release and freedom?

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

I am aware of reports of Captain Watson's arrest, and I understand that officials are engaging with the Captain Paul Watson Foundation. There are some limits on what I will say in this forum, because this concerns legal proceedings involving a foreign national in another jurisdiction, but I do wish to observe that Australia's role generally, and our work with international partners, has been extremely important. We of course stopped whaling in 1979, and we have been a global advocate for cetacean conservation. Our leadership has directly contributed to a whaling-free Southern Ocean. It is promising that, as a result of that leadership and through global action, we are seeing some whale populations recover—for example, humpback whales, which migrate through our waters. Other populations, unfortunately, like blue whales, have been slower to recover. This is an ongoing role, and Australia intend to play our part. (Time expired)