“The majority of the Australian parliament, including the Australian government and the Prime Minister are of the view that regardless of what you think about Julian Assange, the fact is he’s been incarcerated in one way or another for twelve years or so. The matter has gone on long enough that the extradition should be dropped and he should be allowed to return to Australia.” Says Andrew Wilkie in an interview with Dr John Jiggens.

John Jiggens (JJ): Congratulations for you and the Parliamentary Friends for leading the fight to save Julian Assange. You are off to London to attend the High Court hearing.

Will you be asking the Australian High Commission if they will attend the hearing?

Do you know if they are?

Have you noticed any change in attitude to how they are treating the Assange matter?

Andrew Wilkie: I don’t have any visibility of the high commission’s involvement. What I do know though, is that the government’s recent change in positions is in response to my motion calling for the US and the UK to drop the matter and let Julian come home. The fact that the government voted strongly in favour of that motion, the final numbers were 86 for, 42 against.

The following day, in response to a question from me in Question Time, the Prime Minister personally stood up and gave his clearest and strongest position statement yet about this, having gone on too long. All of that shows that the government at least has shifted its position.

Now, whether or not that’s being noticed in London or Washington is unknown, but I think it would be very, very hard for them to ignore such a clear position now by the Australian Government that this has gone on too long.

JJ While you’re in London, will you be seeking a talk with James Cleverly, the Home Secretary of England and Wales, who has a final decision on extradition?

AW: Regrettably,........

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