'This isn't the end': Pollies backing Assange's release say there's plenty more to be done

Despite over a decade in hiding from the US Government’s judicial grip, the return of Julian Assange is “just the beginning”, according to Liberal MP Bridget Archer.

“There are deeper issues that remain unresolved, which should be investigated,” said Ms Archer.

“The outlying question is whether Julian is a journalist. That question remains pertinent, but the campaign is certainly not over.”

Last night (25 June) at the National Film and Sound Archive’s screening of The Trust Fall, director and writer Kym Staton was joined by MPs from across the political spectrum to discuss the documentary – but mostly, news of Julian Assange’s potential return to Australia.

Tasmanian Liberal MP Bridget Archer and Tasmanian Independent MP Andrew Wilkie sat with WA Labor MP Josh Wilson to cautiously applaud the release of Mr Assange from the UK’s Belmarsh prison.

“I, like many people around the world, are absolutely thrilled by today’s news,” said Mr Wilkie.

“When I met with Julian at Belmarsh earlier last year, I saw how physically weak he was and couldn’t believe that he’d been in there for four and a half years.

“However, this isn’t the end. We should guard our words carefully given what could happen over the next 48 hours.”

The MPs are all part of the ‘Bring Julian Assange home’ parliamentary group – an assembly of politicians that have crossed party lines to voice their support for the return of an individual that many are still unsure of how to define.

“It’s quite extraordinary. I’ve never seen anything like it in my time as a politician,” said Ms Archer.

“The group has grown organically and voluntarily over time, in a sense, mirroring the community’s reaction to what’s been happening.”

Aside from bringing about a majority of parliament to vote in favour of Mr Assange’s return earlier this year, the group has also led trips to visit the former inmate and individually lobby US Congressmembers for his release.

Mr Wilkie said there are a range of views within the group about Mr Assange.

“Some people don’t have any time for Julian and what he’s done, but they do believe in his human right to freedom of speech,” said the Independent MP.

When asked if community support should be principally credited for Mr Assange’s release in the writings of history, Mr Wilkie said he agreed, “but I’ll give credit where it’s due”.

“I think in the early days, a lot of people believed the disinformation about him, but this has changed. Even those apathetic to him have now come around to saying it has gone on long enough.

“Despite the Australian Government’s unwillingness to act over the last decade, Albanese’s cabinet has done something and should be commended for such action.”

Mr Wilson also said having Stephen Smith in London and Kevin Rudd in Washington DC “isn’t nothing – this government is trying to do something”.

The Labor MP said the group met with the US Ambassador to Australia, Caroline Kennedy, last year. Mr Wilson said the group could tell “they wanted it over, someway, somehow” – and that now, the Australian Government seems to be saying the same.

During the discussion, Mr Wilson also gave a shout-out to Mr Wilkie for leading the group and former Greens Senator Scott Ludlam, who he said made a significant contribution to their effort.

Following his release, Julian Assange flew from London to Saipan in the Northern Marianas via Bangkok, arriving early this morning AEDT.

He was met in Saipan by Australia’s Ambassador to the US, Kevin Rudd, and the High Commissioner to the UK, Stephen Smith, both of whom accompanied him to the courthouse along with human rights lawyer Jennifer Robinson.

In the US District Court this morning, Mr Assange pleaded guilty to the criminal charge of conspiracy to obtain and disclose national defence information, which carries a penalty of up to 10 years in prison. His plea deal has seen that sentence commuted to the more than five years he has spent in Belmarsh prison while he fought extradition to the US.

This afternoon, Chief Judge Ramona Manglona ruled Mr Assange’s case closed.

Mr Assange’s private jet – the cost of which has been covered by the Australian Government but will reportedly be passed on to Mr Assange – has departed Saipan and will arrive in Canberra this evening.