Stephen Conroy (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Deputy Leader of the Government in the Senate) Share this | Hansard source

The Minister for Foreign Affairs has provided the following answer to the honourable senator's question:

(1)   Mr Assange has received high level consular assistance in accordance with the consular charter. Consular officials have attended all eleven of Mr Assange's court appearances. Consular officers spoke to Mr Assange on the day he was first detained, and the following day, and visited him in detention. Consular officials raised matters of concern with prison authorities while he was detained. Consular officers continue to monitor his case closely and have been in regular touch with his lawyers. Consular officers have also provided assistance to Mr Assange's mother, including arranging access for her to visit him in detention and offer to brief her on the consular aspects of Mr Assange's case. In relation to the current extradition proceedings between the UK and Sweden, Australia's Ambassador to Sweden sought assurances on three occasions from Swedish authorities that Mr Assange's case would proceed in accordance with due process (7 December 2010, 5 January 2011 and 10 February 2011). Assurances have also been sought from the relevant UK authorities.

(2)      The Government sought assurances on three occasions from Sweden that Mr Assange's case would be handled in accordance with due process (7 December 2010, 5 January 2011 and 10 February 2011).

(3)   The Australian Government is closely monitoring all developments in Mr Assange's case. The Government is not aware of any current extradition request by US authorities.

(4)   The Australian Government is not aware of any charges by the US Government against Mr Assange, including under the US Espionage Act.

(5)   This is a matter for the Attorney-General.

(6)   No.

(7)   The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has no record of any formal communication to the US Government of the results of the AFP evaluation. The AFP has posted a media release on its website advising the outcome of the evaluation.

(8)   The Australian Government has no formal advice of any Grand Jury investigation.

(9)   This is a matter for the Attorney-General.

(10)   This is a matter for the Attorney-General.

(11)   The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is not currently involved in any active Wikileaks taskforce work on the release of un-redacted cables.