Joint Media Release
Attorney-General
The Hon Mark Dreyfus QC MP
Minister for Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities
The Hon Tony Burke MP
Minister for Foreign Affairs
Senator the Hon Bob Carr
Tonight Australia’s expert legal team will begin presenting its case in the International Court of Justice in The Hague against Japan’s whale hunting in the Southern Ocean.
“Australia now has its moment in court to establish once and for all that Japan’s whale hunt is not for scientific purposes and is contrary to international law,” said Attorney‑General Mark Dreyfus QC.
“These public hearings mark the final phase of the legal proceedings before the Court makes its decision on the legality of Japan’s whale hunt.”
“The decision to take legal action demonstrates Australia’s determination to end commercial whaling,” Minister for Environment Tony Burke said.
Minister for Foreign Affairs Bob Carr welcomed the commencement of the public hearings in the International Court of Justice.
“Australia and Japan have agreed that our differences over whaling will not affect our strong bilateral relationship,” Mr Carr said.
Australia’s legal team includes the Attorney-General, the Solicitor-General Justin Gleeson SC, Mr Henry Burmester AO QC, Professor James Crawford AC SC, Professor Philippe Sands QC, Professor Laurence Boisson de Chazournes and Mr Bill Campbell QC.
The hearings run for three weeks, concluding on 16 July.
Information on the case will be available on the Attorney-General’s Department website.
The public hearings will also be broadcast live and in full on the ICJ’s website.
The written pleadings will be released when the public hearings commence in accordance with the Court’s rules.