WikiLeaks founder, still hiding in the Ecuadorian embassy, seems to believe that the best way to attract attention is to create a political party. Julian Assange was forgotten by the news when it became clear that nothing was really going to happen. Apparently, Assange is miffed that he isn’t in the news any longer.
Short of leaving the Ecuadorian embassy and facing up to the sex charges, WikiLeaks founder has decided he might have a future in politics. However, Assange cannot leave the UK’s Ecuadorian embassy, as the British police will arrest him and deport to Sweden. This is why Assange chose another way and has appointed a high-profile opponent of the UK’s monarchy to run his campaign for a seat in Australia’s upper house of Parliament.
Greg Barns, a lawyer and former Australian Republican Movement head, admitted that he would become a campaign director for the WikiLeaks Party and spearhead Julian’s absentee bid for a Senate seat in Australia’s election this fall. However, even if Assange will be voted for, the bid wouldn’t allow him a get out of jail free card. To win, 15% of votes are needed in the Victoria state, but even if he wins he would need to go back to Australia to be sworn in, though he won’t do that while he could be arrested. Apparently, the days of the United Kingdom exporting its criminals to Australia have passed.
Greg Barns believes that it will be a serious campaign as WikiLeaks founder really attracts support from across the political spectrum. Barns claimed that a new party will offer a refreshing change from the Australian government’s culture of secrecy. The political platform is expected to be to champion free speech and break court suppression orders.
In the meanwhile, it would be a good position for a free speech advocate to be in – in case Assange wins a Senate seat, he would automatically be covered by Australia’s parliamentary privilege rules and therefore be protected against legal action over comments made in Parliament.
By the way, Assange’s new political party had already secured backing from Philip Wollen, a former Citibank executive. He also managed to find 500 members needed to fulfill party registration requirements. The experts are eager to see the fate of the party in the near future.
Short of leaving the Ecuadorian embassy and facing up to the sex charges, WikiLeaks founder has decided he might have a future in politics. However, Assange cannot leave the UK’s Ecuadorian embassy, as the British police will arrest him and deport to Sweden. This is why Assange chose another way and has appointed a high-profile opponent of the UK’s monarchy to run his campaign for a seat in Australia’s upper house of Parliament.
Greg Barns, a lawyer and former Australian Republican Movement head, admitted that he would become a campaign director for the WikiLeaks Party and spearhead Julian’s absentee bid for a Senate seat in Australia’s election this fall. However, even if Assange will be voted for, the bid wouldn’t allow him a get out of jail free card. To win, 15% of votes are needed in the Victoria state, but even if he wins he would need to go back to Australia to be sworn in, though he won’t do that while he could be arrested. Apparently, the days of the United Kingdom exporting its criminals to Australia have passed.
Greg Barns believes that it will be a serious campaign as WikiLeaks founder really attracts support from across the political spectrum. Barns claimed that a new party will offer a refreshing change from the Australian government’s culture of secrecy. The political platform is expected to be to champion free speech and break court suppression orders.
In the meanwhile, it would be a good position for a free speech advocate to be in – in case Assange wins a Senate seat, he would automatically be covered by Australia’s parliamentary privilege rules and therefore be protected against legal action over comments made in Parliament.
By the way, Assange’s new political party had already secured backing from Philip Wollen, a former Citibank executive. He also managed to find 500 members needed to fulfill party registration requirements. The experts are eager to see the fate of the party in the near future.
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