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

My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Immigration and Border Protection, Senator Cash. Last summer in the Southern Ocean, in Australian territorial waters, documented evidence shows the Japanese whaling fleet harpooned a mother whale and her calf. It took 30 minutes for both whales to die. They drowned in their own blood. I highlight this happened in our waters and on our watch. We have a purpose-built Southern Ocean patrol vessel, the ACV Ocean Protector. The Ocean Protector is currently acting as the world's most expensive water taxi off the coast of Christmas Island as part of Operation Sovereign Borders. Sea Shepherd is about to leave Hobart to do the government's job. When will the government send the ACV Ocean Protector to the Southern Ocean to stop the blood in the water this summer?

Michaelia Cash (WA, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for Immigration and Border Protection) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank the senator for his question, in particular given that the senator was part of the group of senators from the opposition who last night voted to disallow the temporary protection visas. There is a reason that boats are water taxis, and that is the actions of those opposite. If you had the same resolve this government has in relation to stopping the boats, questions like the one you have asked today would not need to be asked.

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

Mr President, I have a supplementary question. I thank the senator for her answer—or non-answer, I should say. On 16 February this year, Minister Hunt said, in relation to Japanese whalers: 'We've got blood in the water and a blind eye in Canberra, it's completely unacceptable.' What is the Australian Customs plan to stop blood in the water and protect our whales, and to provide a safety net for Australian citizens on board the Sea Shepherd vessels?

Michaelia Cash (WA, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for Immigration and Border Protection) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I can advise the Senate as follows: the coalition is well and truly committed to the protection of whales and dolphins. This is demonstrated by the government's commitment to developing and implementing best practice management in Australian waters and strongly advocating for the protection of whales in the International Whaling Commission. The coalition government committed to a $2 million whale and dolphin protection plan that includes a whale stranding action plan, a dolphin recovery plan and a national whale trail. These commitments are to be considered as part of the 2014-15 budget process, with implementation to commence in the 2014-15 financial year.

In relation to the national whale stranding action plan, we will include a review of recent strandings to identify potential causes, outline best practice techniques— (Time expired)

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

Mr President, I have a second supplementary question. On 23 August the coalition announced an election commitment that, should the whaling season continue, the coalition would send a Customs vessel to the Southern Ocean, because it is important that Australia have a Southern Ocean presence given the ongoing risk of confrontation between whalers and protesters. When will the coalition meet this specific election commitment and send the Ocean Protector to the Southern Ocean?

Michaelia Cash (WA, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for Immigration and Border Protection) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I refer the senator to my answer to his first question.