The Government has completely ignored the warning that there was a risk of conflict in the Southern Ocean between the whaling fleet and protestors.
It is just luck that today’s incident did not result in serious injury, loss of life or environmental damage through leaking fuel from the colliding vessels.
However as tensions are high, there is every risk that another confrontation may occur.
The Coalition wrote three times in December urging the Government to send a Customs vessel to the Southern Ocean ahead of the whaling season, to provide a ‘cop on the beat’ and to independently monitor the activities of all parties.
The Government ignored that warning and now we have a confrontation in Australian Antarctic Waters and the Government has no way of verifying what occurred.
It was only this morning that I wrote again to Minister Tony Burke, urging action as I received reports of an increasing risk of a collision.
We would encourage all parties to abide by the law and not to endanger lives in these very treacherous waters.
The Coalition, if elected, has committed to sending a Customs vessel to the Southern Ocean and send a clear message that Australians do not support whaling.
The letter:
The Hon Greg Hunt MP Member for Flinders Shadow Minister for Climate Action, Environment and Heritage
