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

This motion is fairly straight forward. It calls on support from all members of parliament in the Senate to ask our Prime Minister and the government to put diplomatic pressure on the Japanese, who have just announced JARPA III—another attempt to go down and harpoon whales in the Southern Ocean.

Illegal whaling in the Southern Ocean is opposed by over 90 per cent of Australians. I would point out for Senator Macdonald's benefit that those 90-plus per cent of Australians also support Sea Shepherd, who go down every Christmas and put themselves in harm's way to prevent the death of thousands of whales. You have just maliciously, wilfully and dishonestly misled this Senate chamber about them and have attacked them. You should be ashamed of yourself.

Let every Australian know that the Liberal Party have attacked Sea Shepherd today and the good work they do on behalf of the—