2017-01-17
The Greens have written to the Australian Border Force and asked them to immediately send a vessel to the Australian Whale Sanctuary to investigate illegal Japanese whaling.
Australian Greens Leader Richard Di Natale said the extraordinary step was necessary because of the government's hands-off approach to the issue.
"If the government can spend millions of dollars to block some of the world’s most vulnerable people from crossing our borders in search of protection, then surely they have the resources to block Japan from illegally whaling in our territorial waters," he said.
“Right now the brave people on board Sea Shepherd are doing the law enforcement job that we expect from the Border Force."
"It’s time for Malcolm Turnbull to express more than 'disappointment' – he must follow through and send ABF vessels to disrupt their operations."
Greens Senator for Tasmania Nick McKim said Mr Turnbull had wasted a golden opportunity to raise illegal whaling with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe when the two leaders met in recent days.
"The International Court of Justice has made it abundantly clear that Japan’s actions are illegal," Senator McKim said.
"Further, the Australian Federal Court has also clearly ruled that Japanese whaling in the Australian Whale Sanctuary is illegal."
"Indeed, the whalers have unpaid fines of $1 million because of this fact."
"It’s time for the Prime Minister to make good on all his tough talk of protecting Australia’s borders."