The Australian Government clarified on 8 January that it has no intention of banning the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society from using Australian ports. Japan officials have suggested that permission to dock and refuel should be denied because of the anti-whaling activists' tactics of intervention in Antarctic waters.
While calling on both parties to refrain from activities that endanger lives or vessels, Deputy Prime Minister Julia Gillard said that there was no justification for turning Sea Shepherd away.
