CANBERRA—The Federal Government should put free trade negotiations with Japan on hold until the slaughter of whales in Antarctic waters is stopped, the Greens say.
Greens Senator Rachael Siewert has urged the Rudd Government to take stronger action, saying it was clear diplomatic efforts had done nothing to prevent the slaughter of whales.
The Federal Government has been critical of the annual whale hunt which Japanese authorities say is needed for scientific research.
Senator Siewert said the Government must take stronger action and should refuse to progress a free trade agreement with Japan until it stops killing whales.
"Diplomatic efforts have simply not proved effective with Japan," she said.
"The Government has failed to save a single whale since taking office, and the Japanese have indicated they plan to increase the harvest and expand the program."
Senator Siewert said the Federal Government should pursue legal action through the international court and the Antarctic treaty, and confront Japan on this issue in other international forums.
"Mr Rudd must test the true commitment of anti-whaling nations through the international legal system, or Japan will continue to thumb its nose at the world," she said.
"What is needed is stronger action and a commitment to ensuring our whale population is not hunted to extinction under the guise of scientific research."
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