Peter Whish-Wilson (Tasmania, Australian Greens) Share this | Hansard source

They certainly are different, Minister. Let me tell you why. Overnight, the UN special rapporteur on torture, Nils Melzer, said that Julian Assange's case is about more than one individual. He said, 'This is a battle over press freedom, the rule of law, and the future even of democracy.' Strong words coming from the United Nations. Minister, if you agree with the United Nations about what is at stake here, why isn't your government doing more to intervene in this case and bring Julian Assange home—more than the usual consular assistance?