Anthony Albanese calls out Twitter activists over Julian Assange extradition

Anthony Albanese says he won’t be told by Twitter users how to respond to the unfolding Julian Assange case.

UK Home Secretary Priti Patel on Friday approved the extradition of the Australian-born WikiLeaks founder to the US, where he is wanted on 18 charges, including hacking and espionage.

He faces up to 170 years in prison.

There have been calls from many, including human rights activists as well as independent MP Andrew Wilkie, to intervene and lobby the leaders of the US and UK to stop the extradition.

When asked about it on Monday, Mr Albanese said he intended to “engage appropriately” with the case.

“I have made clear on what my position is publicly. I made it clear last year,” Mr Albanese said.

“I stand by my comments that I made then.

“I make this point as well, there are some people who think that if you put things in capital letters on Twitter and put an exclamation mark that somehow makes it more important. It doesn’t.

“I intend to lead a government that engages diplomatically and appropriately with our partners.”

Earlier, Mr Assange’s wife Stella told ABC Radio that there had been a “shift” in the federal government’s approach to the case since Labor won the election.

She said the government needed to act immediately, and she would appeal against the UK’s decision to approve his extradition.

“It’s obvious that the Australian government can and should be speaking to its closest allies to bring this matter to a close,” Mrs Assange said.

“This is an extremely controversial prosecution, including in the United States.”

Immigration Minister Andrew Giles said the Albanese government’s position was that “enough is enough” when it cames to Mr Assange’s treatment.

“I’m very confident in the work happening behind the scenes by Foreign Minister Penny Wong,” he told ABC Radio.

Senator Wong said in a joint statement with Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus that the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade would provide consular assistance.

“The Australian government has been clear in our view that Mr Assange’s case has dragged on for too long and that it should be brought to a close,” they said.

Mr Assange has 14 days to appeal to London’s High Court.