Justice for Julian

Overall a very informative session by John Shipton, Ciaron O’Reilly, Mia Armitage and (tba).

As John said (paraphrasing), the mistreatment of Julian Assange by the UK, USA, and our government is an astonishing abuse of his rights (solitary confinement, torture, being held without charge, etc).

His mistreatment reminds me of descriptions of how oxygen is sucked out of the air in the midst of a firestorm. We are in a firestorm of secrecy and suppression that is sucking the oxygen out of community debate.

After the meeting I was talking with Dianne, and we concurred (both with business experience) that what was missing (from the event) was a pragmatic focus on how to effect change. For example, we could analyse swinging seats with sitting LNP members and organise a concerted, focused campaign (a blizzard of telephone calls) for those members to get in the ear of Morrison, to ensure Julian is not extradited to the USA, and is instead allowed his freedom to return to Australia.

I suggested a pragmatic focus is needed for not just Ngara, but also Politics in the Pub.