Post by Flash on Jun 14, 2008 7:32:01 GMT -5
Environment Minister Peter Garrett has not ruled out taking Japan to the International Court over its annual whale cull.
Environmentalists say they are hopeful Japan might back down on its stance on whaling at this month's International Whaling Conference in Chile, but if that does not happen, Mr Garrett says legal action is still a possibility.
But Mr Garrett says the immediate focus is the Chile conference and has confirmed plans to appoint a whaling envoy to convey Australia's anti-whaling message to Japan.
He will use the meeting to promote the preliminary findings of a Government-commissioned report that suggests whale conservation is a lucrative tourism industry.
In Australia alone, he says it is worth $300 million a year.
"What this progress report shows us, is that the numbers of people who are getting involved in whale watching is increasing significantly each year," he said.
"There are strong economic sustainability arguments to say that we ought to be watching whales, instead of killing them."
Greenpeace director Steve Shallhorn says the diplomatic approach may well work.
"We're hopeful that Japan will change its stance towards scientific whaling," he said.
Mr Garrett has also defended Prime Minister Kevin Rudd's handling of the whaling issue during talks with Japan's Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda this week.
Both leaders "agreed to disagree" on whaling but said they would not let that harm their relationship.
Asked whether Mr Rudd should have taken a stronger stance in the meeting, Mr Garrett said Australia's attitude towards Japan on whaling is well known.
He says the issue will be taken up with vigour at the International Whaling Commission.
But the Opposition has accused the Federal Government of breaking its pre-election promise on whaling.
Environment spokesperson Greg Hunt says Mr Garrett has bowed to Japan by not taking them to the International Court over its annual cull.
He says Mr Garrett has even abandoned his plans for an envoy.
"They've rung up the white flag, surrendered to Japan and now today we see the case has been postponed indefinitely. They're not serious about stopping whaling," he said.
Environmentalists say they are hopeful Japan might back down on its stance on whaling at this month's International Whaling Conference in Chile, but if that does not happen, Mr Garrett says legal action is still a possibility.
But Mr Garrett says the immediate focus is the Chile conference and has confirmed plans to appoint a whaling envoy to convey Australia's anti-whaling message to Japan.
He will use the meeting to promote the preliminary findings of a Government-commissioned report that suggests whale conservation is a lucrative tourism industry.
In Australia alone, he says it is worth $300 million a year.
"What this progress report shows us, is that the numbers of people who are getting involved in whale watching is increasing significantly each year," he said.
"There are strong economic sustainability arguments to say that we ought to be watching whales, instead of killing them."
Greenpeace director Steve Shallhorn says the diplomatic approach may well work.
"We're hopeful that Japan will change its stance towards scientific whaling," he said.
Mr Garrett has also defended Prime Minister Kevin Rudd's handling of the whaling issue during talks with Japan's Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda this week.
Both leaders "agreed to disagree" on whaling but said they would not let that harm their relationship.
Asked whether Mr Rudd should have taken a stronger stance in the meeting, Mr Garrett said Australia's attitude towards Japan on whaling is well known.
He says the issue will be taken up with vigour at the International Whaling Commission.
But the Opposition has accused the Federal Government of breaking its pre-election promise on whaling.
Environment spokesperson Greg Hunt says Mr Garrett has bowed to Japan by not taking them to the International Court over its annual cull.
He says Mr Garrett has even abandoned his plans for an envoy.
"They've rung up the white flag, surrendered to Japan and now today we see the case has been postponed indefinitely. They're not serious about stopping whaling," he said.