News Service from House Harris

Fed: Anti-whaling ship to be let in

CANBERRA, Jan 8 AAP - Anti-whaling vigilantes are hoping for a party when they arrive in Australia, after the federal government said it would let them in despite a Japanese request to bar them entry.

The Sea Shepherd Conservation Society vessel Steve Irwin has suspended its pursuit of Japanese whalers through Antarctic waters and is heading to Hobart to refuel.

Japan had requested the "pirate-like" group be refused entry.

The government had prevaricated on the issue but on Thursday said the protesters would be allowed in.

Sea Shepherd Captain Paul Watson was hoping for a big reception when they arrived on January 16.

"I'm hoping that there will be people there, in fact I know there will be people there," he told AAP.

"I've been told that we will get a reception when we arrive in Hobart."

Capt Watson ridiculed Japan's request to bar them entry.

"I'm not surprised that the Australian government wouldn't bow down to demands from an organisation that's involved in criminal activities," he said.

Japan had said Sea Shepherd's "pirate-like", violent actions must be rejected, and indicated it planned to ask Australia and New Zealand to bar their entry.

Japan's Fisheries Agency said such a move would hamper the group's sabotaging activities.

Acting Prime Minister Julia Gillard rejected the request.

"We have not received an impending vessel request from the Steve Irwin," Ms Gillard said.

"Should such a a request be received, then the Steve Irwin will be permitted to dock at an Australian port.

"There is insufficient reason to prevent the Steve Irwin from doing that."

Australia had asked the Sea Shepherd to avoid dangerous behaviour on the high seas, she said.

The Japanese whaling fleet plans to kill about 1,000 whales this summer, using a loophole in a 1986 global whaling moratorium that allows "lethal research" on the ocean giants.

The Sea Shepherd found the whalers about two weeks ago and has lobbed "rotten butter" stink bombs at them.

Relations sank to a new low this week when a Japanese crew member went missing, presumed drowned, and the Sea Shepherd was accused of hampering the search.

Sea Shepherd said it had not obstructed the search and was just trying to help.