PM Jets out for Sushi and Sake – But no real action against whaling - Greg Hunt MP

By Greg Hunt Member of Parliament for Flinders Kudos to you Greg! http://www.greghunt.com.au

PM Jets out for Sushi and Sake – But no real action against whaling

Monday, 14 December 2009

The Prime Minister is jetting out for sushi and sake in Japan but real action against whaling is not on the menu.

The PM is presuming Australians have forgotten all the times over all the years that he repeatedly promised international court action against whaling.

To refresh his memory I provide a reminder of the promises that he and Mr Garrett made, below.

Given his promises, Mr Rudd must lay down a deadline for Japan to halt its sham whaling program.

If Japan won’t agree to stop killing the whales, the Prime Minister must follow through with his oft-repeated promise to launch legal action against the barbaric practice.

In recent weeks, we’ve seen the Government more focused on haranguing anti-whaling protestors than tackling those who are holding the harpoons.

Today, the best this Prime Minister can say, as he prepares to jet out to Japan is that: “We'd like to do this in a friendlier, diplomatic way.”

How times have changed.

No wonder the Japanese don’t take him seriously on this issue any more.

WHAT KEVIN RUDD AND PETER GARRETT HAVE BEEN SAYING ABOUT WHALING AND INTERNATIONAL COURT ACTION

Labor will: Take Japan to international courts such as the International Court of Justice or the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea to end the slaughter of whales;

A Federal Labor Government will initiate legal action in the international courts to stop the slaughter of whales.”

Rudd/ Garrett statement, ‘Federal Labor’s Plan to Counter International Whaling’, 19 May 2007

“Labor in Parliament today called on the Howard Government to initiate a case against Japan in the International Court of Justice.”

Kevin Rudd, media release, 24 May 2005

“Our challenge to the Howard Government is to prepare a case now for the International Court of Justice which will bring the international public spotlight on Japan’s claims about its scientific quota of whaling.”

Kevin Rudd, media conference, 20 May 2005

“Regardless of what happens at the IWC meeting, the Howard Government should take Japan to the International Court of Justice to end the barbaric slaughter of whales once and for all.”

Rudd/ Albanese media release, 20 June 2005

“We cannot afford another year of complacency. The Howard Government must act immediately to take Japan to the International Court of Justice.”

Rudd/ Albanese media release, 18 July 2005

“We believe that we need to add to the evidence base when it comes to presenting a case before the International Court of Justice.”

Kevin Rudd, doorstop, Labor’s whaling policy, 20 May 2007

“…take Japan and any other country necessary, to court in the International Court of Justice, in order to bring a stop to this practice.”

Kevin Rudd, doorstop, Labor’s whaling policy, 20 May 2007

“Our approach from beginning has been, what do we need to do in terms of creating evidence for the construction of a possible legal case against Japan to bring a halt to commercial whaling.”

Kevin Rudd, media conference, 17 January 2008

“I know this will be a bit rocky, I understand that, but we have a responsibility here as well.”

Regarding action in the ICJ, interview with Laurie Oakes, Sunday Program, 10 February 2008

Also

On 14 February 2007, Mr Garrett said: “A Rudd Labor Government will pull out all stops in the international courts to stop whaling for all time.”

On 9 March 2007, Mr Garrett said: “A Rudd Labor Government will increase diplomatic pressure on Japan and pull out all stops in the international courts to stop whaling for all time.”

On 7 May 2007, Mr Garrett said: “A Rudd Labor Government will increase diplomatic pressure on Japan and pull out all stops in the international courts to stop whaling for all time.”

(So much for pulling out all the stops.)
Photo: Customs
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