Greg Hunt and Julie Bishop at odds over whaling monitoring

The environment minister, Greg Hunt, says there is no change in Australia’s position regarding the monitoring of activity in the Southern Ocean during whaling season.

Hunt moved to clarify the government’s stance after the foreign minister, Julie Bishop, appeared to flag a shift in the Coalition’s position during remarks in Japan.

Bishop said Australia would make a “judgment at the time” about whether it was necessary to send a customs vessel to the Southern Ocean during the whaling season.

Hunt has previously indicated Australia would send a vessel to monitor activity during the summer. Asked about the apparent difference, a spokesman for Hunt said on Thursday, “There is no change in Australia’s position.”

“The international court [of justice] is currently considering Australia’s case on whaling and may give a ruling before the start of the season. All parties must abide by the law and we need to ensure there is no risk to life and for this reason our presence would be about ensuring appropriate behaviour,” the spokesman said.

During a speech at the press club of Japan, Bishop said Australia would respect the ruling of the international court.

In the case, Australia argued that Japan had subverted the international moratorium on commercial whaling by claiming that its annual whaling program in the Southern Ocean was being undertaken for scientific purposes.

Bishop said she was certain both parties would respect the ruling and move on. “And, most certainly, the Australian government is very determined not to let our differences over whaling harm our relations with Japan.”

She appeared to equivocate about whether Australia would send a vessel, and suggested if the government did, it would not be an intervention but a move to preserve safety at sea.

The foreign minister also distanced the government from the activities of the Sea Shepherd. “We do not, and will never, condone reckless, dangerous, unlawful behaviour. And where it occurs on the high seas, we will unreservedly condemn it,” Bishop said.

“The fact that the Sea Shepherd visits Australian ports or some of the Sea Shepherd fleet might be registered in Australia is not indicative in any way of the Australian government’s support for the organisation. And we will continue to comply fully with our international legal obligations with regard to safety at sea.”