Julian Assange Thinking of Running for State Senate in Australia

By

WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange is thinking of contesting elections which will act as a defense against possible criminal prosecution in the U.S. and Britain, the Associated Press reported citing an Australian news website.

Speaking with The Conversation website Assange said that if he wins a Senate seat in upcoming elections on Sept. 24, the U.S. Department of Justice would drop its "grand jury espionage investigation."

"The Cameron government will follow suit," he said. In case Britain fails to back off, Assange said, "the political costs of the current standoff will be higher still."

The Associated Press also reported that the supporters of the WikiLeaks founders enrolled him to vote in Vitoria state, a step necessary to be nominated as a candidate. Australians living overseas can enroll to vote and run as a Senate candidate if they left Australia within the past three years and intend to return within six years of their date of departure. Assange said he was last in Australia in June 2010.

A new political party, the WikiLeaks Party is due to launched soon with a 10-member national council and field candidates for the senate, reported Business Recorder.

Assange's father, John Shipton, a Sydney-based architect said, "The party stands for what Julian espouses - transparency and accountability in government and, of course, human rights."

Assange's mother, Christine Assange, is confident of the WikiLeaks founders' win the elections.

"There is a lot of enthusiasm in people for a change," she said.

Assange's supporters suggest the Swedish case is being pursued as an avenue to extradite him to the U.S., though the Swedish government denies it, reported the Associated Press.

© 2025 Lawyer Herald All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.

Join the Discussion
More Law & Society
No Jail for Medical Student Found Guilty of Raping Drunk

No Jail for Medical Student Found Guilty of Raping Drunk Woman Who 'Couldn't Possibly Consent': He Is 'Young' and 'Talented'

Police Chief Spiked Officers' Coffee With Viagra, Left Body Hair

Police Chief Terrorized Staff by Pooping on the Floor, Spiking Coffee with Viagra and Sprinkling Body Hair on Food: Complaint

Texas Man Rammed Parked Tesla

Texas Man Rammed ATV Into Parked Tesla 'at Full Speed,' Keyed 'Elon' Into Side of Others: Police

Dumpster Diving Pedo_03282025_1

Binders of Child Porn Discovered in Dumpster by Homeless Duo Leads Man to Admit to Molesting Dozens of Children: Police