Albanese government cautious in remarks ahead of Assange's court appearance
The Albanese government is being particularly cautious in its public remarks regarding Julian Assange's case, careful not to disrupt efforts to bring him home before his upcoming court appearance tomorrow. This delicate approach underscores the complexities involved in navigating international legal processes and diplomatic relations. Political reporter Matthew Doran will offer more insights into the government's stance and the broader implications for Assange's situation.
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00:00As the plane carrying Julian Assange came into land in Bangkok, questions about his
00:07case were being asked at the highest levels in Canberra.
00:10Prime Minister, is Julian Assange finally coming home?
00:14The government is certainly aware that Australian citizen, Mr Julian Assange, has legal proceedings
00:20scheduled in the United States.
00:22Optimism, albeit tempered, with his court appearance just hours away.
00:26While this is a welcome development, we recognise that these proceedings are crucial and they're
00:31delicate.
00:32We want to be in a position to see Mr Assange reunited with his family in Australia.
00:37The government heralding the development as evidence of its advocacy for Julian Assange
00:42in London and, most importantly, Washington DC.
00:45The Prime Minister has led these efforts and has personally raised Mr Assange's case at
00:49the most senior levels, including with President Biden and Prime Minister Sunak.
00:54Regardless of the views that people have about Mr Assange's activities, the case has
01:00dragged on for too long.
01:02Pleas and demands for the WikiLeaks founder's release have reverberated around Parliament
01:06House for years, outside its walls and within.
01:10In February, MPs voting overwhelmingly in favour of a motion from longtime supporter
01:14Andrew Wilkie, calling on the US and UK to let him return home.
01:19This show of support from the Parliament is at a crucial time.
01:23A delegation from across the political divide taking the campaign stateside last year, searching
01:28for friendly ears on Capitol Hill.
01:30Maybe there's something we can do now again to move the ball down the field.
01:35Hopeful their message has now been heard.
01:37If you asked me, do I think what he did was morally correct, no it wasn't.
01:42But the issue for me is extraterritoriality.
01:45This was an Australian citizen.
01:47He was not a citizen of the United States.
01:48I'm not much of a weeper in politics, but there were definitely tears in the office
01:53because this is real.
01:55The Australian government will be holding its collective breath until Julian Assange
01:59appears before the US District Court tomorrow morning.
02:03And evidence of the sensitivity here is news of who's in the Assange entourage.
02:08Escorting the WikiLeaks founder on his flight from London is Australia's High Commissioner
02:13to the UK and former Foreign Minister Stephen Smith.
02:17Making sure Mr Assange makes it home after striking this deal with US authorities.