Julian Assange

Assange cautioned that without strong safeguards, other nations could also begin targeting foreign journalists and curbing press freedom.

In his first public appearance since being freed from a UK prison, Assange will address the Council of Europe in October.

Australia’s security watchdog has recommended setting up a dedicated whistleblower protection authority and changes to the law.

Simon Birmingham also said the Wikileaks release of classified information should not be considered ‘journalism.’

For almost 15 years the Australian has been evading authorities seeking to bring him to American soil.

As Wikileaks founder Julian Assange boarded a plane home to Australia, politicians celebrated his freedom.

‘You can’t live here without time on this earth and spending time with your loved ones is really important.’

He is set to make an appearance in a U.S. Court in the Northern Mariana Islands on Wednesday.

Assange could be deported within 24 hours of the decision, but he could also be released, or find himself again bogged down in months of legal battles.

The US government has provided assurances requested by the High Court in London, meaning Julian Assange’s one possible ground for appeal is negated.

‘We have raised, on behalf of Mr. Assange, Australia’s national interest that enough is enough and this needs to be brought to a conclusion.’

Key to the Wikileaks founder’s defence is whether US First Amendment rights extend to non-citizens.

Mr. Mearsheimer recently summed up why Mr. Assange should go free: ‘Journalists don’t go to jail for publishing classified information in the United States.’

The British High Court’s pending ruling may result in an extradition, trial, and conviction, with implications for other journalists and publishers.

‘It’s time Julian Assange was brought home,’ the prime minister said.