Aust opposition calls for action on whaling

Australia must pursue legal action against Japan to stop the hunting of whales, the opposition says.

With the Japanese fleet on its way to Antarctica with plans to kill about 1000 whales, the opposition wants to know what has happened to the Government's threat to take legal action.

Labor last year threatened to take Japan to the International Court of Justice. But no legal action has been launched, and opposition environment spokesman Greg Hunt said it was a "slap in the face" to Australians.

Environment Minister Peter Garrett said Labor had only promised to consider taking legal action.