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Through the lens: The week in politics from Assange to Payman

By Alex Ellinghausen, James Brickwood and staff reporters

June 28, 2024 — 7.30pm

WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange’s plea deal with US authorities and subsequent release from prison dominated headlines this week, while Labor grappled with its first member crossing the floor in 19 years and the government infuriated the Coalition by naming a former state Liberal treasurer to head the nation’s top climate policy body.

Alex Ellinghausen and James Brickwood captured the week in politics at Parliament House.

Monday, June 24

Former NSW Liberal treasurer and clean energy champion Matt Kean was announced as chair of the Climate Change Authority in a coup for the Albanese government.

Energy Minister Chris Bowen (left), Matt Kean and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese at the press conference announcing Kean’s appointment.Credit: Alex Ellinghausen

Kean rejected nuclear power in public remarks that infuriated the Coalition and heightened the federal clash on climate and energy.

Kean (left), Bowen and Albanese arrive at the press conference.Credit: Alex Ellinghausen

The government also tabled a bill revealing incoming governor-general Sam Mostyn will receive an annual salary of $709,000, 43 per cent higher than that of her predecessor, David Hurley. Hurley, who hands the baton to Mostyn on July 1, had his official portrait unveiled in parliament the same day.

Governor-General David Hurley and artist Jude Rae during the portrait’s unveiling.Credit: Alex Ellinghausen

And the government walked back its world-leading plan to outlaw all e-cigarette sales without a doctor’s prescription in a deal with the Greens, meaning Australians will be able to buy plain-packaged nicotine vapes from pharmacies without a prescription from October.

Opposition Leader Peter Dutton and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese during question time on Monday.Credit: Alex Ellinghausen

Tuesday, June 25

News broke that Assange had struck a plea deal with US prosecutors, bringing a sudden end to his long-running legal saga and delighting his relatives and supporters. Assange was released from London’s high-security Belmarsh Prison after 1901 days behind bars and quickly left the United Kingdom, bound for the US territory of Saipan via Bangkok.

Julian Assange boards a jet to fly to the Pacific for his US court date.Credit: Twitter/WikiLeaks

Labor senator Fatima Payman became the party’s first member to cross the floor since 2005 after she voted with the Greens to recognise Palestinian statehood. Labor rules bind caucus members to the party’s collective decisions and MPs who vote against those risk being thrown out.

Fatima Payman, pictured with independent David Pocock, said she was proud she stood by her convictions, although she was bitterly disappointed her Labor colleagues had not joined her.Credit: Alex Ellinghausen

But the federal government moved quickly to quell expectations the Western Australian senator would be expelled from the party.

Fatima Payman and colleagues listen as Anthony Albanese addresses a Labor caucus meeting on Tuesday.Credit: Alex Ellinghausen

Wednesday, June 26

After pleading guilty to a conspiracy charge in a US court in Saipan, Julian Assange arrived in Australia in emotional scenes on Wednesday night, as Prime Minister Anthony Albanese vowed to always stand up for citizens in trouble overseas.

Julian Assange arrives at Canberra Airport on Wednesday evening.Credit: Alex Ellinghausen

Julian Assange acknowledges supporters waiting for his arrival in Canberra.Credit: Alex Ellinghausen

The WikiLeaks founder made a symbolic show of victory, his arm outstretched and his fist clenched, after stepping onto Australian soil for the first time in 14 years, as he hugged his wife, Stella Assange, and his father, John Shipton, on the tarmac.

Julian Assange gave two thumbs up as he stepped off the plane to applause in Canberra on Wednesday night.Credit: Alex Ellinghausen

Stella Assange greets her husband on the tarmac.Credit: Alex Ellinghausen

Julian Assange and his father, John Shipton, reunite at the airport.Credit: Alex Ellinghausen

Julian Assange’s wife and lawyers arrived to a sea of supporters as they spoke at a Canberra hotel following his return to Australia.Credit: Alex Ellinghausen

Stella Assange made an emotional plea for her husband to be given privacy while he reunited with their children, while she also signalled a campaign to secure a presidential pardon for Assange in the years ahead.

Stella Assange at a press conference after her husband’s arrival in Canberra.Credit: James Brickwood

Meanwhile, the prime minister suspended first-term senator Payman from next week’s caucus meeting for crossing the floor to recognise Palestinian statehood.

Fatima Payman in question time on Wednesday.Credit: James Brickwood

And amid the drama, Albanese welcomed Solomon Islands’ Jeremiah Manele to Canberra on his first international visit as prime minister.

Solomon Islands Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele during the ceremonial welcome at Parliament House on Wednesday.Credit: Alex Ellinghausen

Jeremiah Manele and Anthony Albanese during a joint press conference at Parliament House.Credit: Alex Ellinghausen

The Solomon Islands prime minister and Anthony Albanese in Canberra.Credit: Alex Ellinghausen

Opposition Leader Peter Dutton and Jeremiah Manele exchange gifts at Parliament House.Credit: Alex Ellinghausen

Thursday, June 27

US ambassador Kevin Rudd suggested he played an important role in convincing Assange to accept the US plea deal as a partisan stoush erupted over the WikiLeaks founder’s return to Australia.

Australia’s ambassador to the US, Kevin Rudd, in the corridor after a television interview in the press gallery at Parliament House.Credit: Alex Ellinghausen

The opposition accused Albanese of giving Assange an overly warm welcome by calling him just after he touched down in Canberra on Wednesday night as the WikiLeaks founders’ wife, Stella, and Australian lawyer Jennifer Robinson thanked parliamentarians and supporters who worked for years to secure his release.