MEDIA RELEASE - GOVERNMENT’S WORDS ON WHALING ARE HOLLOW - 24 HOURS LATER AND STILL NO ACTION - FRIDAY, 3 AUGUST 2018

THE HON TONY BURKE MP
SHADOW MINISTER FOR THE ENVIRONMENT AND WATER
SHADOW MINISTER FOR CITIZENSHIP AND MULTICULTURAL AUSTRALIA
SHADOW MINISTER FOR THE ARTS
MANAGER OF OPPOSITION BUSINESS
MEMBER FOR WATSON

 
THE GOVERNMENT’S WORDS ON WHALING ARE HOLLOW - 24 HOURS LATER AND STILL NO ACTION
 

Yesterday, Labor sought assurances from the Government that they would send a senior Minister to the International Whaling Commission (IWC) to oppose moves by Japan to lift the global moratorium on commercial whaling.
 
Labor is completely opposed to the proposal Japan is taking to the IWC meeting in September to restart commercial whaling.
 
The moratorium on commercial whaling is a critical piece of environmental reform. It needs to be upheld rather than undermined. Any proposal to undermine it needs to be opposed.
 
This latest proposal from Japan is in addition to Japan’s ongoing so-called “scientific whaling.”
There is nothing scientific about harpooning a whale, chopping it up and putting it on a plate to eat.
 
The Government’s words yesterday have little effect if they won’t turn up and oppose the proposal on commercial whaling by Japan.
 
If the Minister for Environment doesn’t personally attend the International Whaling Commission in Brazil this September he is failing in his responsibilities and potentially allowing commercial whaling to be reintroduced without strong opposition.
 
FRIDAY, 3 AUGUST 2018
 

Tony Burke