Garrett taunts 'Phoney Tony' on whaling

"Phoney Tony" has been at it again, says the federal government - this time on whaling.
It's accused Opposition Leader Tony Abbott of flip-flopping on whether Japan should
be taken to the international courts over its so-called scientific whaling program.
In a surprise announcement, the government will finally fulfill a pre-election
promise next week when it pursues legal action in the International Court of
Justice.
Asked about the government's move, Mr Abbott said he wanted "effective and
appropriate action at international tribunals", but stopped short of supporting the
government's legal bid.
He has previously said a coalition government wouldn't take Japan to court, raising
concerns about the potential damage to trade relations.
Environment Minister Peter Garrett said that was a stark difference from just nine
months ago, when the opposition environment spokesman Greg Hunt flagged support for
international charges to be laid.
Mr Garrett took aim at the coalition's "ever-wavering" policy.
"Once again, Phoney Tony has shown that you just can't trust a thing he says," he
said in a statement.
The Rudd government, on the other hand, had come good on its promise to take Japan
to the international court after 12 years of inaction from the previous government,
he said.
Mr Abbott later accused the government of using the whaling issue to deflect
attention from its bungles in home insulation and border protection.