Julian Assange back in Australia after leaving US court a free man

Here are some more lines from the Australian prime minister’s news conference.

Anthony Albanese thanks the UK and the US for their assistance, saying he is “very pleased” the case is over.

He confirms that he spoke to Assange over the phone as the plane landed, but has not met him face-to-face.

“I was quite pleased to be the first person here he spoke with,” says Albanese, adding that Assange was “very generous in his praise of the Australian government’s efforts”.

He does not give any details of where Assange is heading, saying the Wikileaks founder has “been
through a considerable ordeal, it’s up to him when he makes a statement”.

Albanese is also asked if the plea deal will affect US-Australia relations.

“We have a
very positive relationship with the United States,” the PM says. “I regard President Biden as a
friend, I regard their relationship as being absolutely central.”