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Running for the Senate would be an interesting move, to say the least, and would probably create a headache for the Australian government that they don't want.

by cletus 14y ago

Running for the Senate would be an interesting move, to say the least, and would probably create a headache for the Australian government that they don't want. I imagine Assange's lawyers have done their homework and have established that from being on house arrest in the UK he could run for the Senate (contrary to what 1-2 commenters here have said). There's probably few better elections to run in than the next one. It looks like the current Labor government will be decimated in the next election (in some ways history is repeating itself from the Hawke-Keating years, which is interesting). Yet the population seems disillusioned with the opposition too. My biggest problem with the opposition is their pointless continued opposition to the NBN. Anyway, the big potential headache for the Australian government here is Assange would go from being a citizen possibly being extradited to the Sweden (and potentially the US) to being a sitting Senator being extradited. While he wouldn't be a head of state and enjoy those protections, I'm not sure if there's any real precedent for extradition of someone in the government like this. Australia should be standing up to the US over this however so it's a headache I would invite and welcome upon our government. That all being said, I'm not sure I buy the theory that Assange's extradition to Sweden is to get his extradited to the US. I seem to remember reading something saying it was just as easy to extradite him from Britain so who knows.

elliotanderson 14y ago
I think the theory is that with the current displeasure British citizens have with their government, extraditing Assange at te behest of the US wouldn't go down so well. On the flip side, Sweden has shown that they are willing to cooperate with US interests. Essentially it's possible to extradite him from both countries, it would be a PR nightmare to do it from Britian
whatusername 14y ago
There's also the chance of a Double Dissolution Election. Assuming that the Liberal Party don't get a majority in the Senate, they may decide to call one to pass legislation repealing the Carbon ETS/Tax which Labor are about to introduce. If that happens -- then the requirement for a Senate Seat goes from 16.6% of the Vote to 8.33% of the Vote. Fun times ahead.
thmcmahon 14y ago
Should Assange win it would not make him part of the government. Senators are only part of the Government if their party is in power. I'm not sure what the legal issues surrounding extradition of a senator would be though. Assange's main power would be through participating on Senate committees where he can ask questions of government. He would also be able use parliament as a soap box. I don't think the Government (regardless of which party is in power) would be that worried about it through - unless he somehow ends up with the balance of power (unlikely). The Greens will probably lose a spot due to his running.
shimon_e 14y ago
How many times does Turnbull have to say he isn't going to rip up the NBN? He has two main problems: He doesn't want labour getting credit for something liberal can. He doesn't believe labour is managing the project in with best financial interest of the public and feels up to $10 billion could be saved. This is the BS that is ticking him off: http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-national/new-homes-dudded-over-nbn-turnbull-20120517-1ysus.html http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-national/new-homes-dudd... 35,000 new homes built last year had fresh new copper laid by Telstra instead of fibre. That copper isn't old, damaged, and incapable of fast speeds. It is brand new and was a complete waste of money. Except for Telstra shareholders who get to profit even more off the labour government once tax payers buy it all back to replace with fibre.
derrida 14y ago
You are right about it being just as easy to extradite from Britain. However, the U.S is not likely to serve him until all current cases are resolved. His legal defence is concentrated on making it as hard as possible to attack Wikileaks or anyone involved. It's basically showing that he will fight everything, at every point, all the way.

by cletus 14y ago

elliotanderson 14y ago

I think the theory is that with the current displeasure British citizens have with their government, extraditing Assange at te behest of the US wouldn't go down so well. On the flip side, Sweden has shown that they are willing to cooperate with US interests. Essentially it's possible to extradite him from both countries, it would be a PR nightmare to do it from Britian

whatusername 14y ago

There's also the chance of a Double Dissolution Election. Assuming that the Liberal Party don't get a majority in the Senate, they may decide to call one to pass legislation repealing the Carbon ETS/Tax which Labor are about to introduce. If that happens -- then the requirement for a Senate Seat goes from 16.6% of the Vote to 8.33% of the Vote. Fun times ahead.

thmcmahon 14y ago

Should Assange win it would not make him part of the government. Senators are only part of the Government if their party is in power. I'm not sure what the legal issues surrounding extradition of a senator would be though. Assange's main power would be through participating on Senate committees where he can ask questions of government. He would also be able use parliament as a soap box. I don't think the Government (regardless of which party is in power) would be that worried about it through - unless he somehow ends up with the balance of power (unlikely). The Greens will probably lose a spot due to his running.

shimon_e 14y ago

How many times does Turnbull have to say he isn't going to rip up the NBN? He has two main problems: He doesn't want labour getting credit for something liberal can. He doesn't believe labour is managing the project in with best financial interest of the public and feels up to $10 billion could be saved. This is the BS that is ticking him off: http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-national/new-homes-dudded-over-nbn-turnbull-20120517-1ysus.html http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-national/new-homes-dudd... 35,000 new homes built last year had fresh new copper laid by Telstra instead of fibre. That copper isn't old, damaged, and incapable of fast speeds. It is brand new and was a complete waste of money. Except for Telstra shareholders who get to profit even more off the labour government once tax payers buy it all back to replace with fibre.

derrida 14y ago

You are right about it being just as easy to extradite from Britain. However, the U.S is not likely to serve him until all current cases are resolved. His legal defence is concentrated on making it as hard as possible to attack Wikileaks or anyone involved. It's basically showing that he will fight everything, at every point, all the way.