PM urged Australian envoy to visit Assange in UK prison

Mr Assange is facing espionage charges in the United States and remains in London's Belmarsh prison, where he has been held since 2019 while fighting extradition proceedings.

Mr Albanese said there was "nothing to be served" from the prosecution continuing, a position he had previously held as opposition leader.

"My position hasn't changed as the prime minister and I have indicated that in an appropriate way," he said.

"I encouraged the high commissioner Stephen Smith to visit Mr Assange and he did so."

Mr Albanese said he had not yet had the chance to speak with Mr Smith about his visit.

Gabriel Shipton, Mr Assange's brother, said the visit was a "significant and necessary step".

"We look forward to the Australian government continuing on this path that leads to Julian's freedom," he told AAP.

It is the first time since November 2019 that Mr Assange has accepted a consular visit and the first time a high commissioner has met with the Australian behind bars.

Mr Smith told the ABC on his way into the prison on Tuesday that it was "very important that the Australian government is able to discharge its consular obligations".

"I'm very keen just to have a conversation with him, check on his health and wellbeing and hopefully see whether regular visits might be a feature of the relationship with Mr Assange going forward," the high commissioner said.

Mr Assange is seeking diplomatic support from Australia in his battle to avoid extradition to the US and to be freed from jail.

After his visit, Mr Smith would not comment on whether that issue had been discussed with Mr Assange.

"In accordance with usual consular practice, and as agreed with Mr Assange, I do not propose to comment on any details of our meeting," he said in a statement.

Appeals to stop Mr Assange from being extradited to the US are still before the UK courts.

In a statement, Reporters Without Borders said its secretary-general Christophe Deloire and campaigns director Rebecca Vincent were denied prison access at the last minute, labelling the move "deeply disappointing".

"Julian Assange has the right to receive visitors in prison, and we are legitimate to visit him as a press freedom NGO," Mr Deloire said.

Australian Associated Press