Greens spokesperson for Fisheries, Whaling and Antarctica, Senator Peter Whish-Wilson, welcomes the unveiling of a toy icebreaker model by Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and Environment Minister Greg Hunt in Hobart today.

Senator Whish-Wilson said, “It is a positive move that the Government has provided a scale-model of the new icebreaker that they intend to purchase. Unfortunately the Government hasn’t provided any update on how the tender is advancing since 13 January 2015 and no contract has been issued for its construction.

Australian Greens Senator Rachel Siewert has welcomed $23.9 million to better understand marine species and their habitats whilst aiming to lower human-shark encounters, saying ‘any funding that will strengthen the protection of Australian swimmers and surfers whilst increasing understanding of our oceans is welcome’.

“It has taken vigorous campaigning but the Federal Government is beginning to see the light when it comes to research that will help develop methodologies that will help keep ocean users safe without compromising our healthy oceans.

"Recently the Government released an ‘Anti Radicalisation Kit’ which discussed combating extremism and pictured an image of the peaceful ‪#‎noWAsharkcull protest that I attended with thousands of Western Australians early last year”, said Senator Rachel Siewert.  

“After the community rejected the image as part of the kit, it was promptly removed online.

The Greens Spokesperson for Whaling, Senator Peter Whish-Wilson says Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull should immediately call in the Japanese Ambassador for an explanation in regards to Japan turning their back on the remit of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) over whaling.

Senator Whish-Wilson said, “This is a crucial test for the Prime Minister. All Australians, right across the political spectrum feel very strongly about this issue.

Australian Greens Senator Rachel Siewert has welcomed Senate support for her motion calling on the Government to reinstate marine protected areas and their management plans, especially after recent news that mass coral die-off is looming.

“Just recently we learned how the world’s oceans are experiencing the third-ever global bleaching that could become the largest coral die-off ever.

Over 100 dive and snorkel businesses have banded together to raise their concerns about the Government’s wind back of marine sanctuaries that could come from a review of Australia’s network of marine parks and sanctuaries.

“It is a pleasure to be able table a Statement in the Senate tonight from the Dive Industry Association of Australia, who have legitimate concerns about what the Government’s marine parks review means for the marine environment, loss of protection for unique underwater environments and its associated economy.

Australian Greens Senator Rachel Siewert has said recently released figures showing the amount of by-catch killed in Queensland nets and drumlines shows why Western Australian’s rejected drumlines along their coasts last year.

“Australians fundamentally value healthy oceans and looking after our marine life. Anyone reading the figures from Queensland’s nets and drumlines from 2009-2014 would be understandably distressed.

The Greens Senator for Tasmania, Senator Peter Whish-Wilson, said, “Today’s release of the Senate report into salmon farming in Tasmania is part of ongoing scrutiny by the Greens and other stakeholders. This scrutiny will continue until the Tasmanian Government properly regulates the salmon industry, the environmental monitoring is transparent and the science, especially in relation to Macquarie Harbour, is better understood.

Genesis of Inquiry

The Senate has failed to allow a motion to receive a vote that calls for the Federal Government to negotiate a full investigation on Montara Oil Spill with Indonesia, six years after the spill.

“It is a disappointing that the Senate denied formality on this motion, this is an important issue that deserves attention and action.

“Tomorrow will be six long years since the Montara Oil Spill, a disaster that spewed oil into the marine environment for months.

With two days of hearings into salmon farming in Tasmania now completed, the Greens spokesperson for Fisheries, Senator Peter Whish-Wilson, provides the following comments.

Senator Whish-Wilson said, “When I instigated this inquiry I said it was needed to shine some light into muddy waters regarding how the industry is regulated, and I believe we have achieved that.