Aust boat may monitor Japanese whaling

Australia could send a Customs patrol vessel to the Southern Ocean if Japan decides to resume whaling this summer, parliament has been told.

Attorney-General George Brandis says Australia is "very disappointed" Japan has decided to resume whaling and has taken the matter up at "the highest levels" in a bid to get Japan to change its mind.

If diplomatic representations aren't successful, the government will consider sending a Customs' patrol vessel to the Southern Ocean, he told the Senate on Monday.

Shadow attorney-general Mark Dreyfus said Japan's actions were an outrage and should be condemned.

It was an affront to the international rule of law and to Australia, which for 20 years sought to end Japanese whaling through diplomacy, he said.

"Labor calls on the Turnbull government to bring all pressure to bear on Japan to renounce this irresponsible and illegal course of action," Mr Dreyfus told parliament.