9th Nov 2020, 4:25 PM – Senate Motions - Assange, Mr Julian - Acknowledgement

The majority voted in favour of a motion introduced by Tasmanian Senator Peter Whish-Wilson (Greens), which means it was successful. Motions like these don't make any legal changes on their own but are politically influential because they represent the will of the Senate.

Motion text

That the Senate—

(a) notes that Julian Assange:

(i) is an Australian citizen,

(ii) is a father, son and partner, and

(iii) won the Walkley Award for Most Outstanding Contribution to Journalism;

(b) acknowledges that during the recent extradition trial, the court heard evidence about:

(i) the enormous harm revealed by Wikileaks of war crimes, crimes against humanity and corruption,

(ii) the alleged spying operation conducted against Julian Assange by UC Global on behalf of United States (US) intelligence agencies,

(iii) the alleged seizure of legally privileged material from the Ecuadorian Embassy by the Federal Bureau of Investigation,

(iv) alleged plans to poison and kidnap Julian Assange, and

(v) the devastating health consequences that Julian Assange is currently facing; and

(c) further acknowledges that:

(i) hundreds of protests and vigils happened all over the world in support of Julian Assange during the extradition trial,

(ii) over 160 world leaders – current and former presidents, prime ministers and officials – have called for the release of Julian Assange,

(iii) a dozen councils have passed resolutions across Australia calling on the Australian Government to act, and

(iv) Judge Vanessa Baraitser agreed to delay the decision of the extradition trial until after the US election and is due to deliver the verdict on 4 January 2021.