Independent Member for Clark, Andrew Wilkie, joined Stella Assange to discuss the continuing incarceration of her husband Julian in Belmarsh Prison. Mr Assange’s lawyer, Jennifer Robinson was also in attendance.
“Julian’s case has reached breaking point, and the Australian Government, Opposition and his fellow citizens have come together to reject the fact that the United States Government is keeping an Australian citizen in prison and making him suffer because he had the courage to shine a light on injustice,” Mrs Assange said.
“The Australian people are committed to Julian’s freedom, and the unity we see in politics reflects that. It is important to show the Biden administration that Julian’s freedom is not up for debate. It is essential to press freedom, it is essential to justice, and it is essential to its most important ally, Australia.”
Mr Wilkie said it was vital for the Australian Government to ramp up its support for Julian.
“Julian Assange is facing the very real possibility of spending the rest of his life behind bars in a United States prison unable to witness his two young boys, Gabriel and Max, growing up just for exposing the truth,” Mr Wilkie said. “This political persecution of Julian strikes at the very heart of media freedom, as his extradition would set a frightening precedent for all journalists that they too are at risk of being locked up, just for doing their job.
“There has been growing support for Julian in Australia, with politicians from all parties agreeing that the persecution of Julian has gone on too long and must be brought to an end. In Question Time I asked Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to meet with Stella to discuss what can be done to bring Julian home. Disappointingly he didn’t agree to a meeting, but it was heartening to hear him again express his concern that Julian’s incarceration had gone on long enough.
“This Australian has been kept away from his family for too long and is desperate to be reunited. The Government must do everything in its power to see the extradition dropped and Julian to be reunited with his family and allowed to return to Australia.”