Independent Member for Clark, Andrew Wilkie, makes the following statement on behalf of the Parliamentary Julian Assange group, of which he is a co-convenor.
“It’s deeply disappointing that the United Kingdom High Court has denied Julian Assange the right to appeal his extradition to the United States.
“Mr Assange is an Australian citizen and journalist, whose matter should not even be before a court, as the case has always been an intensely political matter. Enough is enough. The US must drop the extradition and discontinue these charges immediately. And the Australian Government must continue speak up and push for an immediate end to this matter as Julian’s life is at stake.
“There are a range of views about Mr Assange in the Australian community and the members of the Parliamentary Julian Assange group reflect that diversity of views. But what is not in dispute in the group is that Mr Assange has been treated unjustly, and that the matter has gone on much too long and needs to be brought to an end. The extradition must be dropped and Mr Assange must be allowed to walk free.”