11. KEVIN HAGUE (Green) Link to this
to the Minister of Foreign Affairs
When he reportedly told Kevin Rudd that New Zealand would take a strong line opposing Japanese whaling this year in New Zealand’s search and rescue zone, can he explain what he meant by a strong line?
Hon CHRISTOPHER FINLAYSON (Attorney-General) Link to this
A strong line means continuing to make firm public statements about New Zealand’s position against whaling, and continuing diplomatic efforts to stop whaling. The meeting with Mr Rudd also provided an opportunity to hear Australia’s views before New Zealand makes a decision about whether to join the proceedings against Japan in the International Court of Justice. Now that we have had those discussions, a decision on joinder or intervention will be made very soon.
Will he be taking a strong line in response to the investigation by Maritime New Zealand that found that the Japanese whaling boat had primary responsibility for the collision with the Ady Gil?
Hon CHRISTOPHER FINLAYSON Link to this
The Minister will emphasise what he and, indeed, Maritime New Zealand said: that this kind of activity in the Antarctic Ocean is very, very dangerous. He will be strongly warning both sides to avoid that kind of action. The Maritime New Zealand report attributed blame to both sides.
Can he confirm that his last answer essentially tells the House that he will be taking no real action against the Japanese in the light of Maritime New Zealand’s findings?
Hon CHRISTOPHER FINLAYSON Link to this
No, I cannot say that, at all. I made it clear on behalf of the Minister what his position would be, and I also outlined to the member that the Maritime New Zealand report attributed blame to both sides.
Why does his strong line not include sending an offshore patrol vessel into the Southern Ocean this summer to monitor the Japanese whale slaughter?
Hon CHRISTOPHER FINLAYSON Link to this
No decision has been made about whether to send a vessel at this stage. The Southern Ocean is a very remote and inhospitable part of the environment, but the Government, certainly, will be calling on the masters of all vessels to make safety at sea a very high priority.
Given that he said on Q+A this weekend that he had spoken to the Japanese Government and told it that New Zealanders would be “watching what they do this year”, how might they do this if he does not send a navy vessel to the Southern Ocean for this purpose?
Hon CHRISTOPHER FINLAYSON Link to this
I repeat what I said in my answer to the previous question: no decision has been made, and a number of factors will be taken into account in determining whether a vessel will be sent.
Why has not his strong line so far included joining Australia’s case at the International Court of Justice?
Hon CHRISTOPHER FINLAYSON Link to this
As I said in my answer to the primary question, that issue is being very carefully considered now. The Minister is having discussions with the Attorney-General on the subject, and a decision about joinder or intervention—there are a number of procedural paths—will be made very soon.
Mr SPEAKERBecause the member is running out of supplementary questions I will let him repeat his question, just to make sure the House has heard exactly what he asked.
It will be approximate. Why has his strong line not included joining Australia’s case at the International Court of Justice before now?
Hon CHRISTOPHER FINLAYSON Link to this
As I said, no decision has been made at this stage because the Government is still making a decision about whether to join or to seek leave to intervene. As I said, there are two procedural paths. Weighing up all the matters and discussing the matter with the Australian Government have taken until this time.
When he suggested that Japan could lower the targets size of its whale catch, what number of whales was he thinking was an acceptable number to kill this season?
Hon CHRISTOPHER FINLAYSON Link to this
No number is acceptable. The Government has always made its position clear. The Minister was proffering that as a possible solution to a problem.