Senator BOB CARR (New South Wales—Minister for Foreign Affairs) (14:20): Australia, of course, is not a party to this decision. It is a matter between Mr Assange and the governments of Ecuador and the United Kingdom. The court case that led to this affair arising in this fashion is between Mr Assange and the government of Sweden. I am advised that Mr Assange remains in the Ecuadorian embassy where he has been since mid-June. This morning the Ecuadorian Foreign Minister did announce a decision would be made on his asylum claim at 10 pm Australian Eastern Standard Time. The outcome of Mr Assange's asylum claim, of course, is a matter for the Ecuadorian and United Kingdom governments. The Australian government cannot intervene in the UK legal process. We have no standing in the British courts, but the government does not take up the case— Senator Ludlam: Mr President, I rise on a point of order going to relevance. I appreciate the minister is reading from a prepared brief, but it is not a brief for the question that I asked. The question I asked was whether we have made representations to the British government on the occupation of the embassy building by Metropolitan Police. That is a yes or no question, Minister. The PRESIDENT: There is no point of order. The minister is answering the question. Senator BOB CARR: Mr President, the senator's question is based on the assumption the building is being occupied by Metropolitan Police. I have not been advised of that. To date there have been 62 representations made by the Australian government about the consulate contact with Mr Assange or his legal representatives since legal proceedings commenced in 2010. According to advice I have from the department, no Australian has received more attention in a comparable space of time in terms of consulate representation than Mr Assange. This includes representations on his behalf to the government of the United Kingdom and the government of Sweden to obtain assurances of due process in current and future legal proceedings. Senator Bernardi: Have you spoken to Henry Kissinger about it? Senator BOB CARR: I do not think it would be of the remotest interest to Henry Kissinger. (Time expired)