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Assange, an Australian citizen being held in Britain, is
battling extradition to the United States, where he is wanted on
18 charges over the release of confidential U.S. military
records and diplomatic cables in 2010.
At a press conference in Brisbane after an Australia-U.S.
meeting, Wong said Canberra had made it clear that "Mr Assange's
case has dragged for too long, and our desire that it be brought
to a conclusion".
Speaking alongside Defense Minister Richard Marles, U.S.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defense Secretary Lloyd
Austin, Wong said representations had been made on behalf of
Assange in public and private but there were limits on what
could be done until his legal proceedings concluded.
"I understand that Mr Assange has filed a renewal of appeal
application in the UK. The Australian government is not party to
these legal proceedings, nor can we intervene," she said.
Blinken confirmed that Assange's case had been raised in the
bilateral talks, saying he understood the views of Australians
on the sensitive issue.
"Mr Assange was charged with very serious criminal conduct in
the United States in connection with his alleged role in one of
the largest compromises of classified information in the history
of our country," Blinken told the press conference.
"The actions that he has alleged to have committed risk very
serious harm to our national security."
Australia is backing a drive for Assange's release ahead of his
possible extradition to the U.S. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese
said in May he was "frustrated" over the ongoing detention.
(Reporting by Sam McKeith in Sydney; Editing by William Mallard)
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