London: Wikileaks founder Julian Assange has appointed a former Australian Liberal party staffer to run his campaign for a seat in the country`s upper house of parliament.
Former Australian Republican Movement head and barrister Greg Barns would be the campaign director for the WikiLeaks Party spearheading Assange`s absentee bid for a Senate seat in Australia`s September 14 election.
Barns told Australian radio that the `party will offer a refreshing change from the Australian government culture of secrecy,` the Telegraph reports.
Assange announced last year he would run for the 76-seat senate and would use the protection of parliament to champion free speech and break court suppression orders.
He is considered a long shot to win a senate seat as he would need to attract about 15 per cent of votes in the Victoria state, the report said.
If he wins, he would be able to take his seat from July 1, 2014, but would need to return to Australia to be sworn in, it added.
(ANI)
