Transcript of media conference with Andrew Wilkie, independent MHR for Clark, Parliament Lawns, Hobart, 11 April 2024.

Andrew Wilkie

Obviously very significant news out of Washington overnight, that when pressed by a journalist the US President Joe Biden said that the US is considering dropping the extradition of Julian Assange to face some 18 charges in the US. Now, assuming that was a considered comment from the US President, this marks a very significant turning point. Because up until now, the US Justice Department – and as far as we know the White House – has been quite adamant that the extradition was to go ahead. And that Julian Assange was to face some 17 charges under the US Espionage Act and one charge of alleged computer crime. So let’s hope this is signalling that the matter is finally coming to an end, as it needs to.

I mean, Julian has been in Belmarsh high security prison now for well over four years, before that he was holed up in the Ecuadorian Embassy for about seven years. No wonder the vast majority of Australians, the vast majority of Australian federal politicians now, are all of one mind that, regardless of what you think about Julian Assange, surely this matter has gone on long enough.

Now, of course, the context here is significant. Because in February this year, I was able to successfully move a motion in the House of Representatives that got the support of the government and the Prime Minister and his Cabinet. A motion to the effect of this has gone on long enough, and the extradition should be dropped, and Julian Assange should be allowed to return it to Australia. So here’s hoping that the federal parliament, bringing their support in behind Mr Assange, as it did in February, here’s hoping that sent a very clear signal to the White House, which was reflected in the comment from the US President overnight.

I would certainly hope it does, you know, when two thirds of the House of Representatives, including the Prime Minister and his Cabinet, when they are finally supporting a motion in support of Julian Assange, you would think that that sends a signal to one of our closest allies, maybe our closest ally, that you know, it has gone on long enough. This is a request from us to you, you know how about we just drop this and move on?

Journalist – Jano Gibson

It’s only a three-word statement from the US President. How much faith can you have that this is an encouraging sign?

Andrew Wilkie

Look, I don’t know if it was a or how considered a comment it was or if it was a considered comment. But you know, I would hope that of all people, the US President is always uttering thoughtful words. So, you know, I’ll put my faith in Joe Biden at this point in time, I’ll accept that it was a thoughtful comment, I will accept that it does signal that the US is prepared to at least listen to Australia, at this point in time, and just listening is a significant turn of events. Because up until now, I felt the US was not even listening. In fact, the White House was quite adamant. And I heard this from the US ambassador, Caroline Kennedy personally last year, that the White House was quite insistent that this remain a matter for the US Justice Department.

So to answer your question, I don’t know for sure. But I’m hoping it does signal a turnaround, that the charges might be dropped, or some sort of deal could perhaps be agreed to. Perhaps Mr Assange, if he is of a mind to, to agree to a lesser charge. But you know, whatever is going on here right now, the overwhelming majority of Australians – including those who have little time for Julian Assange – are all saying ‘this has gone on long enough. It must be brought to an end’.

And can I take this opportunity too just to remind remind everyone what the substantive matter is here. The reason Julian Assange has been charged with 17 espionage charges and one computer crime charge goes back simply to 2010 when WikiLeaks published hard evidence of US war crimes, including that remarkable video now known as ‘Collateral Murder’, the video shot from a US Army Apache Gunship, gunning down Iraqi civilians and Reuters journalists. And for that, an Australian citizen, a Walkley Award0-winning journalist has been in Belmarsh for more than four years, holed up in the Ecuadorian Embassy for seven years. You know, it’s got to be brought to an end. So, fingers crossed, the comment overnight from Joe Biden was a considered comment. And it does send a signal that finally this matter is reaching a conclusion. to the Australian

Tasmanian Times

Should the Australian Government seize the moment and step up its lobbying?

Andrew Wilkie

I am satisfied that now the Australian Government is lobbying hard. I don’t know if it was lobbying hard up until this year; it assured us that it was, that it was operating behind the scenes in quite diplomatic ways to try and get a resolution. But nothing much happened for a very long time. But this year with the government in February, in fact, two thirds of the House of Representatives including the Prime Minister and his Cabinet, in February this year backing my motion of support for Julian Assange, I think that does signal that the Australian government is now on the job.

If there’s anything more can do, it must do it, including the Australian Prime Minister being prepared to pick up the phone to his US counterpart. Let’s not forget, the bilateral relationship between Canberra and Washington is one of the tightest diplomatic relationships you’ll find anywhere in the world. You know, if the US government’s going to do the right thing, by any country, it’d be to listen to Australia on this matter, and drop the charges against Mr Assange.

Journalist – Lucy MacDonald

They are in an election year, that could threaten any progress?

Andrew Wilkie

Look, it does complicate things for the White House. I mean, it’s hardly a secret that WikiLeaks not only outraged or enraged the Republicans by releasing hard evidence of US war crimes. No, it’s hardly a secret that WikiLeaks also enraged a lot of Democrats for releasing the Democratic National Convention emails which are said by some to have damaged Hillary Clinton’s prospects against Donald Trump two elections ago.

But I think it’s gotten to the point now where it’s just complicating things. You know, I’d say if I had an opportunity to talk to the US President personally, I’d say, ‘look, you’ve got an election coming up. Let’s just clear this clear the table so you can focus on US domestic matters, and not be being tripped up by constantly being asked about this Australian journalist.’