Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Hansard source

It was interesting to me that my repeating what I'd said, at quite a number of press conferences, was somehow seen as a new thing. I have made it clear, and the Prime Minister has made it clear, that enough is enough. We see no further purpose—we don't believe anything is to be served—in Mr Julian Assange's ongoing incarceration. I know it might suit the Greens to not hear the fact that we've been saying that since we were elected, and before, but we have.

I'm also pleased that my high commissioner had the opportunity to visit Mr Assange in Belmarsh prison on 4 April. It was of course the first consular visit to Mr Assange since November 2019, and it was undertaken with his consent. Obviously it was an opportunity to check on his health and welfare, which is consistent with the assistance we provide to Australians who are detained. We will certainly continue at all levels of government to convey our expectations about his treatment, and we will continue to express our view, privately and publicly, that this case has dragged on for long enough and should be brought to a close.

Now, Senator Shoebridge, as you would know, these are not legal proceedings to which we are a party. I know there have been some discussions with the parliamentary group today. I hope those were fruitful. We are seeking to do what we can to resolve this, bearing in mind that we are not a party to the legal proceedings that are currently on foot.