Global/International

On New Year's Eve The Sea Shepherd ship Steve Irwin successfully left the Australian Economic Zone (EEZ) without any sign of the Japanese whaling fleet security ship Shonan Maru No. 2. In gale force winds and heavy swells the Steve Irwin departed Hobart after 60 hours refuelling and reprovisioning.

"It's a big ocean down here they have no idea where we are," said Captain Paul Watson. "I'm now confident that we can proceed with our search for the Japanese whaling fleet without further interference from the Shonan Maru No. 2."

The Sea Shepherd vessel Steve Irwin has been followed for the last 3 weeks by a security vessel/harpoon ship called the Shonan Maru 2. When on Tuesday the Steve Irwin docked in Hobart she was followed right up to the Australian EEZ by this whaling vessel. It is thought the Shonan maru 2 is still lurking offshore. A small group have decided to hunt the whale hunters just outside the Australian EEZ and have taken their boat to search for the lurking Shonan Maru 2. These people are not linked to any conservation group and are entirely self funded.

Australia: 2009-12-16

Australia joins China, North Korea and Iran by introducing Internet censorship.

The Australian Government has announced it would push ahead with plans for compulsory filtering of the internet using a "secret list" rejecting criticism the measures lack transparency, are easily circumvented and will do little other than strangle free speech.

The Australia West Papua Association (Sydney)

Media release 20 December 2009