[Greens-Media] Government must make clear their position on whaling: Greens

[Norton, Tim (Sen R. Siewert)]

Government must make clear their position on whaling: Greens
Wednesday 22nd October 2008

The Australian Greens today accused the Rudd Government of back down on
whaling. 
 
Senator Rachel Siewert said when asked in estimates hearings that the
Government still hasn't decided whether to take legal action to protect
whales or committed funding to ongoing surveillance of whaling
activities.
 
"We have the next whaling season starting in the very near future but
still no decision from the Government," said Senator Siewert.
 
"As far back as June, Minister for the Environment Peter Garrett was
quoted as saying that a decision about legal action will 'be made at
such a time as the Cabinet and the Government decides that it is
something which we need to move forward on."
 
"Well, it is time to move forward," said Senator Siewert.
 
"How much more consideration do they need to give to legal action? There
is a wealth of international legal advice already available that shows
there are a number of legal avenues to take."
 
"In addition to not progressing legal action, the Government still
hasn't allocated resources to any surveillance operations for the coming
season which is likely to start late November or early December."
 
"We are nearly at the start of the next whaling season - I urge Minister
Garrett to take action before we have to sit by and watch our whale
population hunted under the guise of 'scientific research,'" she
concluded.
 
For more information or media enquiries please call Tim Norton on 0418
401 180
senator.siewert at aph.gov.au  |  www.rachelsiewert.org.au  |
www.greensmps.org.au