Today the Australian Senate voted to establish a historic Australian-first Inquiry into “Australia’s future activities and responsibilities in the Southern Ocean and Antarctic waters.”

Greens spokesperson for Whaling and Fisheries Senator Peter Whish-Wilson said, “The Senate finally has a chance to highlight and review Australia’s activities in our vast Southern Ocean waters, and to look at what we are doing well and what could be done better.

“The Liberal National coalition government has dropped the ball on whaling and illegal fishing in the Southern Ocean. This Inquiry will need to constructively look at what needs to be done into the future to carry our weight in this unique environment.

“Greg Hunt broke his promise to send the ACV Ocean Protector to monitor Japanese whaling and combat illegal fishing. His backup plan of sending an Airbus to monitor activities from the air was highlighted as being not up to scratch by the Chief of Air Force in a recent Senate Estimate hearing.

“In the context of the upcoming International Court of Justice verdict in regards to ‘Whaling in the Antarctic,’ this Inquiry will give an opportunity for all stakeholders to express their views about what Australia’s response should be.

“The recent challenges of providing resources to the search for the Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 in the Southern Ocean have highlighted just one of the responsibilities Australia needs to be prepared for.

“Australia also has responsibilities for conservation, scientific research and diplomatic cooperation, and I hope that a range of stakeholders especially from the Tasmanian Antarctic research community provide input,” Senator Whish-Wilson concluded.

Inquiry Terms of Reference

Senator Whish-Wilson: To move—That the following matter be referred to the Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade References Committee for inquiry and report by 15 May 2014:

Australia’s future activities and responsibilities in the Southern Ocean and Antarctic waters, including:

(a) Australia’s management and monitoring of the Southern Ocean in relation to illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing;

(b) cooperation with international partners on management and research under international treaties and agreements;

(c) appropriate resourcing in the Southern Ocean and Antarctic territory for research and governance; and

(d) any other related matters.
Greens spokesperson for Whaling and Fisheries Senator Peter Whish-Wilson