Australia says it will not support an international proposal to allow the resumption of limited commercial whaling and is calling instead for a complete ban.
In June the International Whaling Commission (IWC) will vote on a proposition that would see controlled commercial whaling allowed for existing whaling nations, including Japan.
Australia says it will put forward an alternative proposal seeking a five-year complete phase-out of whaling in the Southern Ocean.
The Environment Protection Minister, Peter Garrett, says Australia will firmly oppose the IWC proposal at the meeting.
The Australian government has vowed to take legal action against Japan if it fails to end whaling in the Southern Ocean by November.
