I acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the land on which we are meeting. I pay my respects to their Elders, past and present, and the Elders from other communities who may be here today.
I’m very pleased to be here tonight with my running mate Dr Alison Brionowski, National Council members Cassie Findlay, John Shipton (Julian Assange’s father) and Gail Malone and I sincerely thank the organisers of this event.
May I personally thank the Ecuadorian people for their courage, compassion and for keeping an Australian citizen safe from harm when he was abandoned by our Government. You hold a special place in our hearts.
It’s hard to believe that there was a time when the media actually described Julian Assange and WikiLeaks as net crusaders. Of course that only lasted until they spoke truth to power.
The courageous acts of those few inspired us all. But it is the persecution of those few that brings us together tonight. A night where we will arrive as like minded strangers and depart as friends.
I remember when I first read about Julian Assange. I immediately understood what fuelled his passion because, like you, I’m driven by the same passion.
The blind, slavish support of empire and power is not in the interests of any person or independent nation.
When I was a young girl I lived across the road from a park. I was about 8 or 9 when I noticed a brute, much larger than me, picking on three unkept children. Naturally I challenged the brut and he backed away. Victory was sweet, and I proceeded to frogmarch the children to my home and demanded that my mother adopt them.
But the reason I share that tale with you is because the brut was challenged and defeated because the young warrior wasn’t intimidated by size. Julian Assange and WikiLeaks, few in number as they may be, challenged power not because it was profitable, or expedient, but because they weren’t intimidated and it was the right thing to do.
In many respects this approach reflects the position taken by many Latin American countries today. Your countries have a sorry history of centuries of exploitation by Western powers, and a shameful political intermeddling. But the Latin American people, full of life and colour and spirit, have a proud tradition of courage, and of standing up against political and economic repression. They do that because it is the right thing to do.
The WikiLeaks Party comes forward with the ideals that Julian Assange and WikiLeaks have come to represent at a time when civil society everywhere is light on the ground. To fearlessly expose government corruption, waste and wrong doing. To defend our country from being held by the throat by the major political parties and the real players behind them.
Three months ago the WikiLeaks Party didn’t exist. Although it may be a new political party its values have existed for centuries. The values of transparency, accountability and justice are a human compass that helps us to charter our return to a nation driven by mutual respect, dignity and freedom. Our journey is long overdue and it’s a path we must now all take together.
The successful election of WikiLeaks Party Senators in Victoria, New South Wales and Western Australia depends on you. The soul of our Party is its members, volunteers and supporters. Our fortunes hinge on people everywhere spreading the word that a vote for the WikiLeaks Party in the Senate is a step towards a victory for all Australians.
I’m very proud to stand with Alison as one of your Senate candidates in New South Wales and it would be our sincere honour to represent you all.
Thank you
