As we think about where to put our mark on the ballot paper in this election, spare some time to do a little research into where candidates stand on freedom for Australian citizen Julian Assange.
Julian is now entering the fourth year of incarceration in Her Majesty’s High Security Prison, Belmarsh, in Boris Johnson’s UK – without charge, at the behest of Joe Biden’s US government.
Assange was dragged out of the Ecuadorian Embassy by London police, violating his political asylum rights, months before the last Australian general election.
The Morrison government has been complicit in his persecution ever since, claiming that Assange ‘must face the music’ for his actions and that British ‘justice’ must be allowed to take its course.
Anthony Albanese at one stage, in a Labor Party meeting, apparently has said that ‘enough is enough’, but as far as I know has not mentioned Julian Assange once during the election campaign.
Although his name and that of our local Member of Parliament, Justine Elliot, do appear as supporters of the Andrew Wilkie initiative, The Parliamentary Friends of Bring Assange Home Group.
So, we appreciate that and look forward to that support being taken further, especially if the Labor Party wins the election.
We have received confirmation from Mandy Nolan that The Greens are fully supportive of the freeing of Assange. We have seen their words backed up by action with the sterling work of Greens Senator Peter Whish-Wilson, from Tasmania, and Senator Janet Rice, of Victoria, in the parliament attempting to hold the government to account on the issue over the years.
We trust Greens advocacy for Julian will continue over the next term of parliament.
It is no exaggeration to say that the violation of Julian Assange’s rights is a violation of our rights. If it is Julian today, who will it be tomorrow?
So, in the final week of the campaign, please consider Julian Assange’s situation as you prepare to vote.
For four decades The Echo has printed the stories some people loved, some people hated, and some pretended not to read. If you want us to keep telling the truth, the real truth, not the sugar-coated version. We’ll need your support to keep the presses rolling. 
