'The best day of my life': Assange's wife describes reunion

Well, it was a moment 14 years in the making, WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange landing back on home soil after more than a decade in legal limbo. He was reunited with his family, emotionally embracing his wife Stella at Canberra Airport. And it was all made possible after he pleaded guilty to violating US espionage laws. We're very pleased to say we're joined by Julian's wife Stella and his lawyer Jennifer Robinson in Canberra. Good morning, ladies. Nice to see you this morning, Stella. Good morning to you. Your first up. Let's start with that kiss. Yes. It was a long time coming. How did it? How did it how did it all feel? Oh, we weren't allowed to kiss in Belmarsh prison. So it was it was the best, the best day of my life. I we were just crying and overcome by emotion. Everyone was crying. When we went into the lounge, everyone was crying. I was still crying. It was it was undescribable. I was incredible. I think we could all feel that relief on your face, on the whole team's face. And when he touched down finally on home soil still after five years, as you said that kiss, but also you must have shared some secret words to each other. What was it like that moment? Well, it was, look, we haven't had any privacy during the, the time that he's been in Belmarsh prison. All our phone calls were monitored. They were recorded. There was a little recording in the beginning. It said this, this conversation is being recorded. They were only 10 minutes at a time. We haven't been able to speak on our own terms or privately for so long. And so this, it, it wasn't just the moment of, of seeing each other, but but on completely different terms as than what we've had for, for until now. The reuniting with your sons. When will that take place? This morning? They were, they were asleep when when he arrived, he was able to see the, the sun come up this morning. He's amazed at seeing the horizon. I mean, he hasn't seen the horizon in 14, at least 12 years. And of course, the, the, the beauty of, of the Australian landscape is, is overwhelming. But yes, the, the children were, were very excited when they heard that Daddy was, was about to come home. Yeah. It must be so exciting for them, Jen. I mean, you've been there for 14 years. Every single legal hurdle, twist and turn, you put out that picture of you and Julian on the plane with simple words. We did it. That's right. I mean, what else can we say? We finally did. It took 14 years, but we're finally here. And I can't tell you how relieved I have and happy I am for Stella and for the family and for Julian. You know, it's been a long time coming. And to be there with Julian, to have I walked him into the police station back in December 2010 and to be able to walk him onto that plane in London and to accompany him to the USI mean, going to AUS jurisdiction was, was a nerve, nerve wracking and uncomfortable experience for him. But we got a great outcome. And and it was a the product of very complex, difficult negotiations with the US government that got us to this point to get him out. He's he's a free man. No more restrictions on his liberty and he can now enjoy his life with the kids and hopefully take time to recover. Jen, I think you're you're an extraordinary woman and an extraordinary professional. You know, if I ever needed a lawyer, I'd be calling you. I probably will. Let's face it, you can't. But is, is that legal process now complete? Will you be seeking pardon? Look, at the moment, we're just pleased at his home. It was, it was an incredibly difficult negotiation and process to get to this point. We're thrilled that he's home. We're grateful to the Australian government. We're grateful to the Australian Prime Minister. And I want to acknowledge the incredible work that our Prime Minister did, our Attorney General, our foreign Minister and our ambassador Kevin Rudd in the US, our high High Commissioner, Stephen Smith. It was a huge effort by the Australian government, a massive diplomatic effort alongside our legal negotiations with the Department of Justice to get to this outcome. And so right now, we just want to take a breath, let Julian recover and celebrate. I mean, this is a huge win for Australia. It's a huge win for Julian and it's a huge win for free speech. Of course it's a dangerous precedent that what's just happened to him, the prosecution itself is a dangerous precedent. No journalist, and especially an award-winning Australian journalist shouldn't spend 5 1/2 years in a high security prison. But I hope that this decision and the fact that we were able to get him out gives hope to other people who are imprisoned around the world and will. I hope that those who supported him and supported us in defending him will now turn their efforts into better protecting journalists and improving laws so that this never happens again. It's, it's, you know, it's been so tough, I guess. And there must have been times when you thought this was never going to come. This day would never come where Julian tasted freedom at last. And now Stella, that he has it. What is the first thing you do with it? Just just sit and enjoy it. I mean, the sitting without doing anything. That's that's bliss, not having to worry anymore. Just the, the, the potential and the promise of, of, of the future. We haven't had that. So this is that that's a real gift and we're going to savour it. It's going to take some adjusting to, I'm sure. Look, a question for both of you. He, he has been and and I'm sure will continue to be an, an outspoken guy. Do you think his days of exposing military and government secrets are over or will he continue to do that? Well, look, Julian is not just a, a publisher, he's a, a public commentator. He has, he is an expert on surveillance and geopolitics and so on. And he defends, as he said, free speech and human rights. So in whatever way he is going to take that forward, I, I don't know. I don't think he knows either, but you can be sure that he will. He will continue to defend victims and and fight for justice once he's he's recovered. Very good to speak to you both. Go and enjoy that freedom. Well, you can. Thank you so much, Really appreciate it.