The Dean, Professor Gillian Triggs comments on Japan's rejection of a plan for it to cut its whaling program in the Antarctic in return for being allowed to resume commercial whaling in coastal waters, in an interview broadcast on ABC 2 Breakfast with Joe O'Brien and Virginia Trioli.

"The plan has an advantage in cutting down the number of whales that would ultimately be killed and puts all parties into a more public recognition.

"However, without the agreement by Japan with Australia and New Zealand, it will become very difficult."