By By Stephanie Dearing May 30, 2010 in Environment Canberra - Peter Garrett, Australia's Environment Minister, announced Saturday that Australia had failed to make diplomatic inroads with Japan over the annual whale hunts in the Southern Antarctic Ocean. "... the response of the whaling countries has not been positive. Recent statements by whaling countries in the Commission have provided Australia with little cause for hope that our serious commitment to conservation of the world's whales will be reflected in any potential IWC compromise agreement. The Government has always been firm in our resolve that if we could not find a diplomatic resolution to our differences over this issue, we would pursue legal action. The Government's action fulfils that commitment." The decision to take legal action against Japan was jointly announced by three Australian Ministers: Stephen Smith MP, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Peter Garrett MP, Minister for Environment Protection, Heritage and the Arts, Robert McClelland MP, Attorney-General. The press release stressed the good relationship between Australia and Japan, saying "Australia and Japan share a comprehensive strategic, security and economic partnership. We share a substantial commercial relationship built over many decades, growing strategic and security linkages, and work together closely in key international forums such as the G20, the United Nations, the World Trade Organisation and APEC. The Government's action today reflects a disagreement in one element of a relationship that is deep, broad and multi-dimensional. Both Australia and Japan have agreed that, whatever our differences on whaling, this issue should not be allowed to jeopardise the strength and the growth of our bilateral relationship." New Zealand has said it will not support Australia's decision to take Japan to court. The After being notified of the intent to proceed to court, Japan fired back at Australia in the But the move to the International Justice Court was needed, Australia said. "The decision underlines the Government's commitment to bring to an end Japan's program of so-called 'scientific' whaling in the Southern Ocean. It also demonstrates our commitment to do what it takes to end whaling globally. The Australian Government has not taken this decision lightly. We have been patient and committed in our efforts to find a diplomatic resolution to this issue. We have engaged in intensive discussions in the International Whaling Commission (IWC) and bilaterally with Japan." The The controversial conservation group, Sea Shepherd, which has engaged in an active fight to prevent Japan from taking as many whales during its hunting expeditions, hails Australia's decision to take Japan to court. In a “At last, some action out of Canberra. We need a definitive international judicial answer to this continuing controversy in the Southern Ocean. We trust that the international court will side with Australia to deliver a stern verdict ordering Japan to cease and desist with their unlawful slaughter of endangered and protected whales inside an internationally established whale sanctuary. We trust the court to understand just what the word ‘sanctuary’ means.” Watson went on to say “This action by Australia lends further credibility to our in the field intervention activities in the Southern Ocean.” In related news, Sea Shepherd's Peter Bethune is currently being tried in Japan for a number of charges laid against him after he boarded a Japanese whaling ship earlier this year. There are many "... Contrary to the many inaccurate media reports currently circulating, Captain Bethune has not pled “guilty” to the charges he’s currently facing. If that were the case, there would be no need for a trial. While it is true that Captain Bethune concedes many of the facts related to his charges (such as boarding the Shonan Maru 2 which are of public record), this is not the same as admitting “guilt.” Japan does not do "pleas" in the way U.S. criminal law operates." The case will be filed with the International Court of Justice during this coming week. Australia has already informed Japan of the decision, reached because, as Australia representatives said in a press release The decision to take legal action against Japan was jointly announced by three Australian Ministers: Stephen Smith MP, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Peter Garrett MP, Minister for Environment Protection, Heritage and the Arts, Robert McClelland MP, Attorney-General.The press release stressed the good relationship between Australia and Japan, sayingNew Zealand has said it will not support Australia's decision to take Japan to court. The NZ Herald said Prime Minister John Key felt diplomatic negotiations were still viable, and so the nation would not join the court action just yet.After being notified of the intent to proceed to court, Japan fired back at Australia in the press , saying its Southern Antarctic whaling activities were sanctioned by the International Whaling Commission, which had issued Japan legal licences to hunt whales for the purpose of "scientific research."But the move to the International Justice Court was needed, Australia said.The International Whaling Commission (ICW) is meeting in June, with a proposal on the table to allow whaling activities without lifting the ban on whaling.The controversial conservation group, Sea Shepherd, which has engaged in an active fight to prevent Japan from taking as many whales during its hunting expeditions, hails Australia's decision to take Japan to court. In a press release , Captain Paul Watson saidWatson went on to sayIn related news, Sea Shepherd's Peter Bethune is currently being tried in Japan for a number of charges laid against him after he boarded a Japanese whaling ship earlier this year. There are many reports that Bethune has entered a plea of "guilty," something Sea Shepherd said is wrong. More about Whaling, Environment minister peter garrett, International court justice, International whaling commission More news from whaling environment minister... international court ... international whalin...