Tony Abbott has denied the Opposition doesn't have a policy on whaling after the government accused it of back-flipping on the issue.
Climate Change Minister Penny Wong said the federal government will not rule out legal action against Japanese whaling and has a clear plan to tackle the issue -- unlike the opposition.
Senator Wong said the government would seek a diplomatic solution before pursuing litigation against Japan.
"We are exhausting all diplomatic avenues and we are open still, if diplomatic avenues are not able to be successful, to the option of legal action," she said.
"It is regrettable that the Japanese government continues to engage in whaling." Opposition environment spokesman Greg Hunt has called on the government to stick to its promise and take international legal action against Japan.
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The Opposition's environment spokesman, Greg Hunt, has on several occasions called for the Government to follow through on a threat to take Japan to court over its whaling program.
Opposition Leader Tony Abbott told the ABC his position is consistent with Mr Hunt's.
"I completely agree with Greg Hunt that the Government should do what it said it was going to do, or else it should announce a new policy," Mr Abbott said.
"It's the Government which made this commitment, in Opposition."
However on Monday, Mr Abbott said seeking legal action could damage diplomatic relations between the two countries.
Senator Wong said that if Mr Abbott was promoting himself as an alternative prime minister he should be more consistent in his approach.
"What is Tony Abbott saying?" Ms Wong asked reporters. "He's against it yesterday - for it today - this is a man who engages in policy by thought bubble - he flips from one position to another.
"Unlike Tony Abbott, we have a clear way forward."
