The Australian Greens today called on the Rudd Government to commence legal action against Japan's whaling operations immediately, and make any new deal on a free trade agreement contingent on an end to Antarctic whaling.

"It appears there was no progress made with the Japanese Prime Minister yesterday. The longer the government delays commencing legal action the more whales will be killed in our southern oceans," said Australian Greens Senator Rachel Siewert.

"Delaying action until after IWC next year means another season of whale slaughter - that will be four seasons under this government's control, despite a strong election promise to take action on Japanese whaling.

"With talk of continued negotiations on a free trade agreement with Japan, Kevin Rudd should make it plain that an end to whaling must be agreed before a free trade agreement will be signed.

"Tackling whaling on a global stage was an election promise for the ALP in 2007, yet it has now taken them two years to even consider the idea," said Senator Siewert.

"The Government has confirmed they have no plans to monitor whaling this season as they did two years ago. By the time the Rudd Government finally takes legal action our evidence will be three years old. At the very least we should be making our intentions clear by undertaking further monitoring during this whaling season.

"Our message to the Prime Minister is: enough talk, it's time for legal action!"

"We cannot wait until the next International Whaling Commission meeting in mid 2010 to take action on Japanese whaling - that is after hundreds more whales are killed while the Australian Government dithers," she concluded.

Media Contact: Tim Norton 0418 401 180