George Brandis (Queensland, Liberal Party, Attorney-General) Share 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.