Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was asked twice whether there was a single moment when he finally knew Julian Assange’s freedom had been secured,and he would be returned to Australia.
A clearly thrilled prime minister offered a few details,including that the first time he had raised the issue of Assange’s freedom was with US President Joe Biden in July 2022.
“The first time I raised it was with President Biden,at the NATO summit in Madrid,and also with other senior members of the US administration,” he said during a press conference earlier tonight.
“But this was always the case,to be very clear,that because of the separation between the political representatives and the judiciary,this was always going to be something that required discussion,patience with the Department of Justice.”
Albanese said one of the ways to achieve results like Assange’s freedom was to not share too many details publicly.
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Asked if there had been a breakthrough moment,Albanese said:“There were probably a range,a number of steps along the way.”
He stressed Australia had to be mindful of the US Department of Justice’s independence.
“We wanted to be focused on an outcome and these things don’t come together until they all come together. You know,a plea deal requires two-sided agreement between the Department of Justice and Julian Assange.”
Albanese praised Australia’s ambassador to the US Kevin Rudd and UK high commissioner Stephen Smith – both of whom once served alongside Albanese in parliament – for their work,along with DFAT officials.