NO HERO’S WELCOME DESERVED FOR ASSANGE
“Today Julian Assange pleaded guilty to felony espionage.
“However, it appears this self-confessed criminal is now receiving a hero’s welcome from not just members of the media but also, disgracefully, members of our own Government.
“Mr Assange is no journalist, but is the perfect embodiment of a reckless, disrespectful and insidious attitude some have towards the security establishment and our defence personnel who permit countries such as Australia and the United States of America to enjoy peace and prosperity.
“Mr Assange did not have the integrity to consider the harm his actions would cause to brave men and women in uniform as well as others besides — instead seeking notoriety in the most destructive way possible.
“What Mr Assange did was unforgivable — shamelessly publishing and handing our enemies uncensored information of actively serving defence personnel on a platter.
“As a result, the lives of men and women doing their utmost to defend their country were put at risk by Mr Assange.
“The public and the defence community deserve better — innocent lives and national security cannot be put at risk on behalf of one man’s personal agenda.
“The unqualified fawning over Mr Assange demonstrated by some members of the media and our public officials sends a dangerous message. A message that greatly jeopardises our and our closest international allies’ security interests.
“Whilst I am hopeful and glad Mr Assange’s saga is now over, we must remember this all arose because of his own actions.
“Mr Assange never wanted to take responsibility for his actions, and instead opted to take the coward’s way out — fleeing and evading arrest.
“Mr Assange should have been the man he portrays himself to be, bravely and nobly submitting himself to the justice he so adamantly purports to care for. Had he done so, this drawn-out situation would have been resolved many years ago.
“I hope Mr Assange can learn from his actions and begin to respect the institutions which grant and protect the freedoms he has taken advantage of so willingly.”
ENDS