(Australian MP) Wilkie slams Prime Minister on WikiLeaks ("she has shown contempt for free speech")

[Turborama]

Source: The Mercury (Australia)

SUE NEALES | December 09, 2010 12.22pm

KEY federal Independent MP Andrew Wilkie has blasted Prime Minister Julia Gillard over her response to the damaging WikiLeaks diplomatic cables posted online by Australian citizen and WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange.

Mr Wilkie said he was disgusted at Ms Gillard and her active support for the pursuit of Mr Assange and the United States government.

In a withering attack in Hobart this morning, Mr Wilkie said it was a clear case of “shooting the messenger”, instead of defending free speech, the rule of law and the automatic rights of every Australian citizen. He said there was no evidence Mr Assange had broken any law by posting the US diplomatic cables on-line.

He also questioned why Ms Gillard, a trained lawyer, had abandoned the principle of presumption of innocence, in publicly assuming Mr Assange was guilty.

Mr Wilkie said he was also appalled at Ms Gillard’s contempt for Australia’s sovereignty in defaulting to the interests of the United States of America, putting its interests above those of an Australian citizen. “And she has shown contempt for free speech,” Mr Wilkie said.

Read more: http://www.themercury.com.au/article/2010/12/09/192075_tasmania-news.html

[David Zephyr]

1. I can easily see the Australian public rallying to Mr. Assange's cause.

If the Australian government does not protect Mr. Assange, I have more than just a feeling that the public will be outraged.

[defendandprotect]

2. FREE JULIAN ASSANGE .....

Can we find some way to help free him?

[Frank Booth]

3. "He also questioned why Ms Gillard, a trained lawyer, had abandoned the principle of presumption of

innocence."

I've been wondering why a trained lawyer and Constitutional scholar has abandoned the principle of free speech.

[madmax]

4. Right on both counts.

Julian Assange sure has a lot of people shitting bricks.

FREE JULIAN ASSANGE

[Matilda]

5. As a whistle-blower who was villified by the Howard Government,

he knows what he's talking about.

His support is crucial to Labor at this point; they should listen to what he's saying.

[Violet_Crumble]

7. It'd be pretty stupid of Labor not to listen to him right now n/t

[indimuse]

6. KNR! n/t