James Paterson (Victoria, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Cyber Security) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister representing the Prime Minister, Senator Wong. Does the Prime Minister's personal 'welcome home' for Mr Julian Assange, convicted of espionage by our closest intelligence partner, indicate that the Albanese government would tolerate a similar leaking of sensitive classified information in Australia?

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

Thank you, Senator Paterson. I'm very happy to respond to that. In fact, I was asked a similar question this morning, and I made this point: we have laws in Australia in relation to national security information. We expect those laws to be observed by all citizens and by all entities. That is our position.

In relation to Mr Assange, we have taken the view that this matter had gone on for too long and, as the Prime Minister has said, nothing would be served by further incarceration of Mr Assange. I appreciate that there are a range of views in the Australian community about his actions, and some are very deeply felt. As foreign minister, I can say that we viewed it as our obligation to advocate on behalf of an Australian citizen.

As you would know, his passage home was enabled by the plea arrangements and the decision of an American court, which made its decision this week. That provided the pathway for his return home. Whatever people's views about these matters, the Australian government has taken the view for a very long time that this matter had gone on too long. That is why the Prime Minister made this a priority and why this was raised at all appropriate levels of the government, including by me.

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Paterson, first supplementary?

James Paterson (Victoria, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Cyber Security) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Did you agree with the Prime Minister when he compared Mr Assange's plight to that of Sean Turnell and Kylie Moore-Gilbert, people who were arbitrarily detained in dictatorships?

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

If you are referring to the Prime Minister's statement, I observed that. He was talking about a calm, considered, disciplined approach to diplomacy, which we have deployed in relation to all of those cases. Mr Assange went through an American legal process. You've heard me in this chamber, Senator—in response to other senators, including Senator Shoebridge—say that these are matters for either the United Kingdom or the US courts. In the comparable case, the matter could not be resolved until legal processes had been resolved. That is what occurred when the department of justice and Mr Assange appeared before the court in Saipan, and a judgement was entered. I will say to you, Senator, that it is appropriate for us to advocate on behalf of Australian citizens. (Time expired)

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Paterson, a second supplementary?

James Paterson (Victoria, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Cyber Security) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Did Mr Albanese use his 'welcome home' call to Mr Assange to seek assurances from him that, in future, he would not promote misinformation or release any further sensitive or classified information?

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

As I said, I suspect the 'welcome home' call was to express a hope that Mr Assange could spend time with his family. Obviously this has been a very long process for him, and he has been away from his family for a very long time. What I would also say is that I'm sure that the Prime Minister's expectation is, as I articulate, that national security information is to be protected. I can also assure you that the Prime Minister did not invite him to join the Labor Party in the way that Senator Canavan did, when he said, 'Well, mate, I'm happy for him'—Mr Assange—'to join the National Party.'