Whaling

The majority disagreed that the Australian Government should seek an explanation from the Japanese Government about why it is still whaling within the International Whale Sanctuary in the Southern Ocean.

Wording of the motion

That the Senate calls on the Australian Government to seek an immediate explanation from the Government of Japan on its non-compliance with the injunction of the Federal Court of Australia in 2008 against whaling in the International Whale Sanctuary in the Southern Ocean.

2008 injunction against whaling

The Humane Society International Inc (HSI), represented by the Environmental Defender's Office (NSW), brought an action against Kyodo Senpaku Kaisha Ltd, a Japanese whaling company. In 2008, they succeeded in getting the Federal Court of Australia to declare that Kyodo was in breach of Australian law by whaling in the Australian Whale Sanctuary and to grant an injunction to restrain Kyodo from further breaches. Read more in the EDO's summary of the case.