Senator Peter Whish-Wilson and independent MHR for Clark, Andrew Wilkie, will host special Q+A screenings of the Julian Assange documentary ithaka this week in Launceston and Hobart.

Filmed over two years across the UK, Europe and the USA, the feature documentary follows 76 year-old retired builder John Shipton’s campaign to save his son, Julian Assange.

Both screenings will include a special question and answer session with Senator Whish-Wilson, John Shipton and Julian’s brother Gabriel Shipton, who also produced the film. Wilkie will join the group for the Hobart screening with MC Christine Milne.

Following last week’s British court order to grant Julian Assange’s extradition to the United States, Wilkie released a statement calling on Prime Minister Scott Morrison to pick up the phone and speak to US President Joe Biden and UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson to demand an end to the cruel and abusive treatment of the Australian citizen.

He also challenged Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese, as an alternative prime minister, to publicly state what he would do for Julian if elected to the top job.

“The film screenings are a great opportunity for Tasmanians to add their voices to the call for press freedom and for Julian’s release and to answer any questions they might have,” Wilkie said.

Wife and mother to their two sons, Stella Assange was finally granted permission to marry Julian last month in HMP Belmarsh, the highest security prison in the UK.

 Following their wedding, she said the clock was ticking as she confronted the prospect of losing Julian forever to the abyss of the US justice system.

 “Julian’s health is declining in a British maximum-security prison and he faces a 175-year sentence if extradited to the US, all because he had the bravery to publish true information that exposed war crimes and government malfeasance.”

 “I am delighted that ithaka has received such wonderful reviews and community support. It is an unflinching insight into a fight none of us can afford to lose,” she said.

Ithaka will screen at The Tramsheds Function Centre, Launceston, on Tuesday 26 April and State Cinema, North Hobart, on Wednesday 27 April. Both events will commence at 18:00.