The Australian Greens today called on the Minister for the Environment Peter Garrett to explain why Japanese whalers were in Australian Antarctic waters and whether any whales were taken in Australian waters.

"Japanese whalers were found in Australian waters by the Sea Shepherd group, and were unable to kill any whales while they were being pursued ... but how many whales were taken before they were found?" asked Senator Rachel Siewert, Australian Greens spokesperson on whaling.

"The Australian Government is not monitoring the whale slaughter this season, and implied that no monitoring activity would be needed because the Japanese wouldn't be operating in Australian waters this season."

"However, the Japanese fleet were found in our waters. What were they doing there and how many whales did they butcher while they were there?"

"The Australian Government's approach to whaling to date hasn't saved any whales, they still haven't committed to any international legal action and failed to undertake any monitoring this season" said Senator Siewert.

"If it wasn't for the Sea Shepherd group we wouldn't even have known the Japanese whaling fleet were in Australian waters. There is nothing to stop them from returning if they give the Steve Irwin the slip. This is simply not good enough."

"It is time the Government took some real action - or came clean and admitted they have abandoned their election promises of whaling," concluded Senator Siewert.

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