Rumors of Geoffrey Robertson Buying House for Julian Assange Are False

In a twist that has caught the attention of both locals and political circles, rumors have been swirling that Geoffrey Robertson KC, the prominent human rights lawyer, is set to buy a mansion in Brighton for Julian Assange and his wife Stella.

Assange, who has been living in exile in London due to a looming extradition to the United States, recently returned to Australia for the first time in 15 years to face legal matters. After attending a court hearing in the Northern Mariana Islands, he pleaded guilty to charges related to disseminating classified information.

The buzz began when whispers about a lavish home complete with trampolines for Assange’s two children began circulating. Sources noted that after Assange’s arrival in Canberra, he and his family seemed to have disappeared, leading many to speculate about where they might settle.

While Queensland, where Assange was born, is one theory, there are also hints pointing to a potential move to Melbourne. However, recent social media posts showed the family enjoying a beach, suggesting they might be anywhere but Brighton.

To get to the bottom of the rumors, CBD reached out to Robertson, who politely declined to comment on the speculation, leaving many wondering about the truth behind the claims. Local real estate agents also dismissed the idea as far-fetched.

Amid the swirling rumors, a well-placed source has confirmed that the notion of Robertson finding a home for Assange and his family is “utterly and demonstrably false.” It seems Robertson has not been in contact with Assange or his family for several years.

Meanwhile, the political scene saw some movement as Nick Hayden, who previously worked as a senior advisor for Federal Treasurer Jim Chalmers, announced his departure from Canberra to join Totem, a digital-first media company. His new role as head of content comes after Hayden’s tenure at the ABC, where he worked on various programs.

As for the NSW Liberal Party, tensions are rising following the sudden exit of former treasurer Matt Kean, who took a chair position with the Albanese government’s Climate Change Authority. Kean’s departure triggered a scramble among party members vying for his vacated seat in Hornsby.

Among those seeking preselection are James Wallace and Michael Hutchence, while Ishita Sethi, a barrister who previously ran for a Senate position, is also in the mix, having received endorsements from notable figures such as Nick Greiner and Alister Henskens. However, given Warren Mundine’s mixed track record in preselection, some see this as a risky maneuver.