Australia: Asylum boat sparks debate, Assange fights extradition

09:45 am on 21 February 2024

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A last-ditch effort by Julian Assange to avoid extradition to the US is underway in London. Photo: AFP / Daniel Leal

Australia correspondent Annika Smethurst looks at how the arrival of an asylum seeker boat in Western Australia has renewed debate over detention policies. A hearing is underway in the UK over the possible extradition to the US of Australian citizen and WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, with Australian PM Anthony Albanese calling for an "amicable" end to the legal process. And Taylor Swift's Melbourne concert blew the superstar away.

Annika Smethurst is political editor at The Age.