According to the news, which statement best summarizes the stance of the Australian government regarding Julian Assange?

Read the news to answer questions 26 to 28.

US President Joe Biden has said he is

considering a request from Australia to drop

the prosecution of WikiLeaks founder Julian

Assange.

The country's parliament recently passed a measure - backed by PM Anthony Albanese - calling for the return of Mr Assange to his native Australia. The US wants to extradite the 52-yearold from the UK on criminal charges over the leaking of military records. Mr Assange denies the charges, saying the leaks were an act of journalism. The president was asked about Australia's request on Wednesday and said: "We're considering it." Mr Albanese said Mr Biden's comments were "encouraging" and he was "increasingly optimistic about an outcome". "We want Mr Assange to be able to return home," he told Sky News Australia.

The Australian measure passed parliament in February. At the time, Mr Albanese told MPs: "People will have a range of views about Mr Assange's conduct... But regardless of where people stand, this thing cannot just go on and on and on indefinitely." Mr Assange is fighting extradition in the UK courts. The extradition was put on hold in March after London's High Court said the United States must provide assurances he would not face the death penalty. The High Court is due to evaluate any responses from the US authorities at the end of May.

By Mike Wendling, BBC News - Available at: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-68784298