Here are the mentions of Julian Assange in the Australian Parliament, during November 2022, according to the parliamentary minutes, Hansard.
Chamber: House of Representatives on 30/11/2022
QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE – Assange, Mr Julian Paul
Questioner: Ryan, Monique MP
Answer: Albanese, Anthony MP
Dr RYAN ( Kooyong ) ( 14:14 ): My question is for the Prime Minister. Journalists obtaining and publishing sensitive information in the public interest is essential to democracy. Australian citizen Julian Assange is still detained in Belmarsh prison, charged by a foreign government with acts of journalism. Mr Assange’s freedom will only come from political intervention. Will the government intervene to bring Mr Assange home?
Mr ALBANESE (Grayndler—Prime Minister) (14:14): I thank the member for Kooyong for her question. She raises an issue that is of great interest to many Australians and of interest to people, it must be said, as well across this chamber. I particularly note the member for Bruce, the member New England, for example, people who have raised this question.
I, sometime ago, made my point that enough is enough. It is time for this matter to be brought to a conclusion. In that, I don’t express any personal sympathy with some of the actions of Mr Assange. I do say though that this issue has gone on for many years now, and when you look at the issue of Mr Assange and compare that with the person responsible for leaking the information, Bradley Manning, now Chelsea Manning, she is now able to participate freely in US society.
The government will continue to act in a diplomatic way, but can I assure the member for Kooyong that I have raised this personally with representatives of the United States government. My position is clear and has been made clear to the US administration that it is time that this matter be brought to a close. This is an Australian citizen.
As I said, I don’t have sympathy for Mr Assange’s actions, on a whole range of matters. But, having said that, you have to reach a point whereby what is the point of this continuing, this legal action, which could be caught up now for many years into the future?
So I will continue to advocate, as I did recently in meetings that I have held. I thank the member for her question and for her genuine interest in this, along with so many Australian citizens who have contacted me about this issue.
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Chamber: Senate on 28/11/2022
Item: STATEMENTS BY SENATORS – Assange, Mr Julian Paul
Senator WHISH-WILSON (Tasmania) (13:45): It’s the last week of federal parliament. It’s the last week of federal parliament under a new Labor Albanese government. Sadly, and frustratingly, Australian Walkley Award winning journalist, publisher and citizen Julian Assange still sits in Belmarsh maximum-security prison in the UK, without having been charged. He’s the world’s most famous political prisoner.
What are we doing to help Julian? The Albanese government have said publicly that he’s suffered enough and that this has to come to an end, but what pressure are they exerting on our US and UK allies to release Julian Assange?
Standing in the Australian Senate, I want to say to Julian: we are not giving up the fight for you. If anything, we are ramping it up. I’ve just come from a parliamentary friends of Assange group meeting with over 35 MPs who are now participating. The movie Ithika, about your amazing father, John Shipton, and your family and their fight for you, is starting to show across cinemas in Germany early next year and across cinemas in the US.
The world is waking up to this egregious abuse of power, this injustice. They are waking up to the fact that you only published the truth and that what you published has actually helped us understand the systems and the institutions that we’re all part of and has helped the world become a better place.
We are not giving up the fight for you, Julian. Stay strong over Christmas. Whether you are in Belmarsh prison or in a US maximum-security prison, we are thinking of you and we are there for you.
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Chamber: Senate on 28/11/2022
Item STATEMENTS BY SENATORS – Education
Speaker: Babet, Sen Ralph
Senator BABET (Victoria—United Australia Party Whip) (13:47): Senator Whish-Wilson, I agree with you. Julian Assange needs to be brought back home.
…
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Chamber: Committee on 10/11/2022
Item: Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Legislation Committee – 10/11/2022 – Estimates – FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND TRADE PORTFOLIO – Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
Senator STEELE-JOHN: During question time in the Senate on 4 August, in response to my colleague Senator Shoebridge, Senator Farrell said that the government was still of the view that the Assange proceedings, referring to Julian Assange in this context, have gone on for ‘too long and should now be brought to a close’. Minister, do you agree with this statement?
Senator Wong: It’s a consistent statement from all ministers in the government.
Senator STEELE-JOHN: On 23 February 2021, it was reported that then opposition leader, Anthony Albanese, had, in response to a question in caucus in relation to the Assange proceedings, responded that enough was enough: ‘I don’t have sympathy for many of his’—that is, Mr Assange’s—’actions, but essentially I can’t see what is served by keeping him indefinitely incarcerated’. Now, putting aside what objections the Prime Minister now may have to journalism and the journalistic activities of Mr Assange, is it still the Prime Minister’s view that enough is enough and nothing is being served?
Senator Wong: What was the journalism point?
Senator BIRMINGHAM: Senator Steele-John is implying that Mr Assange is a journalist.
Senator Wong: No, but you’re saying ‘putting aside what the Prime Minister’s views are on journalism’.
Senator STEELE-JOHN: No, I don’t seek to make any funny points here. The Prime Minister, just to quote him exactly, said that he does not ‘have sympathy for many of’ Mr Assange’s actions. Putting aside what views the Prime Minister may or may not have about Mr Assange’s journalism—and he is a journalist who is being pursued in relation to the revealing of the most atrocious war crimes—is it still the position of the Prime Minister that, in relation to Mr Assange’s incarceration, enough is enough?
Senator Wong: The Prime Minister’s words speak for themselves, but I’ll ask Mr Gerard to assist in relation to this matter.
Mr Gerard: Senator, I think the government has been clear in our view that legal proceedings with Mr Assange have been going on for a long time. As the Australian government, we are watching those legal proceedings very closely. We are not a party to those proceedings, Senator, as you understand. We do engage with the United States and the United Kingdom governments on this matter and we do convey our expectations that Mr Assange is entitled to due process, humane and fair treatment, access to the medical treatment that he needs and access to his legal team.
Senator STEELE-JOHN: Minister, have you received any meeting requests from John Shipton or the Assange legal team since being elected to government?
Senator Wong: I’ll have to take that on notice. I know that there’s been—let me take on notice what requests and what the engagement with that office or other level there has been.
Senator STEELE-JOHN: Okay.
Senator Wong: Obviously, we receive representations from families of Australians who are detained overseas regularly.
Senator STEELE-JOHN: But, just to clarify, you haven’t met with Mr Shipton or the Assange legal team since being elected?
Senator Wong: I’ve just asked you to let me take that on notice in terms of the engagement with the office.
Senator STEELE-JOHN: That one was in relation to letters. The next question was: have you met with them?
Senator Wong: I’ve taken the question on notice, because I want to make sure I answer correctly.
Senator STEELE-JOHN: Okay. When was the last time you’re able to confirm to us that you did meet with Assange’s legal team?
Senator STEELE-JOHN: Because they have met with you previously. I’m just—
Senator Wong: I can’t recall the detail. Are you’re talking in opposition? I can’t recall that. I’ll take the question on notice.
Senator STEELE-JOHN: Okay. Would you be able to take on notice specifically whether you have met with or a member of your team has met with Mr Assange’s father, Mr John Shipton?
Senator Wong: I’ve just taken that on notice.
Senator STEELE-JOHN: On 19 October, Mr Assange’s lawyer, Jennifer Robinson, told the National Press Club that ‘I would be here all day describing how due process has not been respected’, referring to Mr Assange’s case. In your joint statement with Attorney-General Dreyfus, dated 17 June 2022, you state that Mr Assange is entitled to due process. Is it the government’s position that he has been and is being given due process?
Ms Adams: Senator, I don’t think we’re going to make a pronouncement on the judicial process of the US or UK. As Mr Gerard said, we’re not a party to the legal case and our views in terms of our expectations have been clearly conveyed on multiple occasions.
Senator STEELE-JOHN: Has the department provided the Prime Minister with an update on the Assange case prior to his travelling to the G20?
Ms Adams: The Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet is responsible for briefing the Prime Minister, but I’m sure he’s well aware of the circumstances.
Senator STEELE-JOHN: Has he signalled an intention to raise the Assange case with President Biden?
Ms Adams: I’m not in a position to answer that question, Senator.
Senator STEELE-JOHN: Minister, has your office engaged with the Prime Minister’s office directly to provide him with any additional information or advice in relation to the Assange case?
Senator Wong: Again, this is a matter that should probably be asked in Prime Minister and Cabinet. I think the Prime Minister and I are well aware of Mr Assange’s case. There’s obviously been a lot of discussion publicly. We have made clear the government’s view that Mr Assange’s case has been dragged on too long and should be brought to a close. I would again reiterate that, whatever people’s views are, there are legal processes underway. We are not a party to those proceedings.
Senator STEELE-JOHN: You see, Minister, just for your knowledge, I met with Mr Shipton earlier this week. I’ve met with him on multiple occasions. It’s my view and the view of his legal team that the processes which he is currently—those proceedings which you have referenced are killing him. They’re killing an Australian citizen—an Australian citizen currently imprisoned because of his role in revealing the perpetration of war crimes by the United States. I use this opportunity to repeat to you, as I’m sure other people have, the desperate need for Mr Albanese, the Prime Minister, to move from statements to actually picking up the phone because of dire urgency of this situation.
Senator Wong: I’m not going to detail private conversations between government and government representatives. This matter has been raised with relevant governments. The Australian government has publicly said that our expectations are that Mr Assange is entitled to due process, humane and fair treatment, access to proper medical care and access to his legal team. But these are ultimately not legal proceedings to which we are a party. These are legal matters involving other jurisdictions. I understand also—I will just ask Mr Gerard to add to it.
Mr Gerard: Senator, as you know, Mr Assange has himself withdrawn his consent for us to offer him consular assistance or inquire about his welfare with authorities in the UK. We write to Mr Assange directly. We’ve written so far 42 times offering that consular assistance. Absent that permission from him to offer consular assistance, what the department does, Senator, is assure ourselves, by asking UK authorities for an assurance from them, that he has access to the medical treatment that he needs.
Senator STEELE-JOHN: Yes, I’m aware of that, Mr Gerard. His mental health is a significant concern. I’ve got an additional line of questioning that will require me to save and circulate a document. At this point I might hand back the call so that the document can be circulated. Thank you.
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Chamber: House of Representatives on 7/11/2022
Item: COMMITTEES – Petitions Committee – Report
Speaker :Templeman, Susan MP
Ms TEMPLEMAN (Macquarie) (10:01): I present the second report of the Petitions Committee for the 47th Parliament.
The report read as follows—
From 49 petitioners—requesting the Australian government insist on the return of Julian Assange to Australia (EN4310)
Assange, Mr Julian Paul
Stop the extradition of Julian Assange from the UK to the US. We need the Australian Gov to step up and represent Julian Assange, an Australia citizen, and put a stop to his wrongful imprisonment. “Enough is enough!”, as quoted by the current Australian Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese.
We therefore ask the House to demand that the government of the United Kingdom immediately cease any further action in the extradition of Julian Assange from the United Kingdom to the United States of America and demand that Julian Assange, an Australian citizen be returned to Australia.
from 49 citizens (Petition No. EN4310)
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Chamber: Committee on 7/11/2022
Item: Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee – 07/11/2022 – Estimates – ATTORNEY-GENERAL’S PORTFOLIO – Attorney-General’s Department
Senator SHOEBRIDGE: Can I ask you what, if any, steps are being taken to bring Julian Assange home.
Ms Jones: As you know, the issue in relation to Julian Assange is proceedings involving the United Kingdom and the United States. Our international crime cooperation area has no involvement in that matter. In terms of any broader issues associated with Mr Assange, I think that’s broadly a matter for DFAT.
Senator SHOEBRIDGE: Have you provided any advice to the government about the nature of the charges that Mr Assange is subject to in the United States?
Ms Chidgey: Yes, we’ve provided some general information.
Senator SHOEBRIDGE: What was the substance of that advice?
Ms Chidgey: I think it just outlined what those charges were, in factual terms.
Senator SHOEBRIDGE: None of those charges are known to Australian law, are they?
Ms Inverarity: Our understanding is Mr Assange has been indicted for a range of offences in the US, including conspiracy to commit computer intrusion, conspiracy to obtain, receive and disclose national defence information, and other offences relating to unauthorised obtaining and disclosure of national defence information.
Senator SHOEBRIDGE: But in circumstances where he was not a US national, was not an employee, was not a contractor and had no nexus to the United States, that kind of offence is not known to Australian law, is it, Ms Chidgey?
Ms Chidgey: I don’t think we can comment on dual criminality in detail, but the Commonwealth, for example, has computer offences that can apply in a range of circumstances and also non-disclosure offences.
Senator SHOEBRIDGE: None of the US offences, given the absence of citizenship, residence, employment, contract or any other nexus to the United States, and the extra-territoriality, more generally, of those US offences—they are not offences of a kind known to Australian law?
Ms Chidgey: We can’t comment on that.
Senator SHOEBRIDGE: Was that included in your advice?
Ms Chidgey: No. We didn’t undertake a dual criminality assessment.
Senator SHOEBRIDGE: Why not, given it’s a critical part of most extradition proceedings?
Ms Jones: It’s not an extradition proceeding involving Australia, so we have no responsibility in relation to it.
Senator SHOEBRIDGE: It’s an extradition proceeding involving an Australian citizen. Are you saying that despite that being a core element in any extradition proceeding, I think considering the UK, and particularly under the Extradition Act 1988, you provided no advice to the Attorney or to government on the nature of the offences?
Ms Jones: Ms Chidgey has already indicated that we provided factual information, but I reiterate that the matter is proceeding involving the United Kingdom and the United States.
Senator SHOEBRIDGE: Is it not part of the consideration for the Australian government’s actions whether or not the offences that Mr Assange is facing would be considered offences under Australian law if the same conduct related to Australia? You’re saying that’s not part of the advice that you’ve provided or the consideration that the department has undertaken?
Ms Jones: I think we’ve provided factual information to the Attorney. I can’t add anything further than that.
Senator SHOEBRIDGE: Has the department done anything to satisfy itself as to whether or not Mr Assange could obtain a fair trial in the United States given the nature of the offences and the nature of the likely court that will be trying him?
Ms Jones: Obviously the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade provide consular assistance to any Australian who is involved in legal proceedings overseas, but it is not a role for this department to evaluate proceedings in other countries.
Ms Chidgey: I’d just say that the Australian government, which is really the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, which has a central role, has conveyed its expectations that Mr Assange has due process, humane and fair treatment and access to his legal team.
Senator SHOEBRIDGE: And a secret trial and potentially 220 years in jail? As part of the communication, were there any concerns raised about the secret trial and his potentially facing 220 years in jail for, effectively, the crime of telling the world the truth? That was not part of the consideration?
Ms Chidgey: I’ve described in broad terms those expectations. If you’ve got more detailed questions, they would need to go to the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
Senator SHOEBRIDGE: To be clear, Ms Chidgey, do you accept that what Mr Assange did, in terms of providing access to information, primarily about the manner in which the United States engaged in war, would not be an offence known to Australian law?
Ms Chidgey: I’ve already said I can’t comment. I think you might also be asking me for opinions.
CHAIR: We do have estimates with DFAT, Senator Shoebridge. You will get an opportunity to ask them the appropriate questions. We need to move on. Do you have final questions?
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Chamber: Senate on 5/09/2022
Item: MOTIONS – Afghanistan
Speaker: Waters, Sen Larissa
… Part of our truth-telling about why we sent troops to Afghanistan must also be a reckoning about our treatment of whistleblowers. Julian Assange has faced incredible injustice and torture in response to his simple act of sharing the truth of what was happening in Afghanistan and why troops were deployed there. The fundamental injustice and lack of transparency around the deployment of Australian troops to Afghanistan has tainted our treatment of whistleblowers. This is why the Greens have called for decisions to commit Australian troops to war to be made by parliament, openly and with debate. Given the wide-ranging and long-lasting impacts of war, these decisions demand parliamentary scrutiny, international cooperation and development and respect for human rights. …
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