The Australian Greens today renewed calls for the Rudd Government to follow through on their stated opposition to whaling, with this year's season due to start in a matter of weeks.

"The Japanese whaling fleet is expected to launch within the next month, yet still the Government refuses to take any active steps to prevent this annual slaughter," said Senator Rachel Siewert.

"If the Government does nothing, it could be left up to community organisations, most largely volunteer based, to actively monitor and intercept whaling operations this summer."

"The Government as yet has not even allocated resources in the budget to undertake any operations this summer, but is instead hoping for the best in this coming season," said Senator Siewert.

"It is simply not good enough to keep repeating the rhetoric without any resources or action. We still have no legal action and instead all we hear is that Minister Garrett will continue ‘strong diplomatic engagement.'"

"In just a few short weeks, the hunt begins again. I urge Minister Garrett to take action before we have to sit by and once again watch our endangered whale population slaughtered under the guise of Japanese ‘scientific research,'" she concluded.

For more information or media enquiries please call Tim Norton on 0418 401 180