The Howard government could have prevented Japan's whaling fleet from embarking on yet another whale killing spree with more determination action to back up its failed diplomacy, Senator Rachel Siewert said today.

The Japanese whaling fleet set out for Antarctica with plans to kill another 1,000 whales, including 50 humpback and 50 fin whales.

"The Government should have been stronger with Japan during APEC to halt the senseless destruction of our whale population. Mr Howard could have used this opportunity to demand the Japanese halt; instead he thought it more appropriate to negotiate a Free Trade Agreement with Prime Minister Fukuda," said Senator Siewert.

"The fact that they failed to act then, now means that they've allowed Japan to begin killing our glorious humpbacks for the first time in over 40 years," she said.

"What has the Government got to lose by initiating court again? Why aren't they backing the action by Human Society International?"

"The Australian public are obviously disgusted by the prospect of another 1,000 whales being slaughtered this summer. 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'," she said.

"This slaughter will have a direct impact on Australia's growing multi-million dollar Whale Watching industry yet another reason for the Government to act," concluded Senator Siewert.