Weak spineless politicians. The correct answer is free Julian Assange and any other Australian journalists subject to political persecution by USA with 48 hours or:

• impose a 25% tax on any goods/services purchased from USA which runs a huge trade surplus with USA.

• all Americans working at Pine Gap spy facility will be deported and all access to Pine Gap information will be cut off.

Then every 48 hours Assange remains imprisoned, announce another round of punative damages.

While Wong says the Australian government wants the case against Assange to be brought to an end, it has not impacted ties between the US-Australia. After signing the AUKUS military pact that will eventually allow Canberra to acquire nuclear-powered submarines, the US and Australia continue to increase military cooperation.

After two days of talks in Australia, the two sides announced the US would expand its military presence in the country by sending more submarines, adding regular rotations of US Army watercraft, and collaborating on joint missile production. The US expansion in Australia is part of its military buildup to prepare for a future war with China.

Australia has loyally fought every war at America's side since WWII. That cannot continue if America persecutes Australian journalists.