Australia still won't say if it will allow an anti-whaling vigilante ship into the country to stock up on fuel.
The Sea Shepherd has suspended its pursuit of Japanese whalers in Antarctic waters, and is heading to Hobart.
Japan plans to ask Australia to bar the group's entry, saying the Sea Shepherd's "pirate-like" and violent actions must be rejected.
Acting Prime Minister Julia Gillard was cagey on whether she would allow the protesters to dock in Hobart.
In a statement on Tuesday, she said if the Sea Shepherd tried to enter, a decision would be made in accordance with usual procedures and laws.
Ms Gillard noted the vessel, called the Steve Irwin, has previously entered Australian ports - most recently in December.
But she spoke out against any dangerous protests on the high seas.
"Australia respects the right to peaceful protest at sea, but condemns dangerous, violent or illegal protest activities, including any activity that may jeopardise safety at sea," she said.
Greens leader Bob Brown said instead of banning the Sea Shepherd, Prime Minister Kevin Rudd should "get off his couch" and do something against the Japanese whaling program.
"Hobart will have a warm welcome for (Steve Irwin Captain) Paul Watson and his crew when they return," he said.
Senator Brown called on the government to instead ban Japanese ships which used Australian ports to pick up woodchips from old-growth forests.
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