'Free Assange' protester scales parliament

A man calling for the release of Wikileaks founder Julian Assange has been arrested after scaling the face of Parliament House in Canberra.

The protester told onlookers on Monday to send him up a sleeping bag, as he would only come down once Assange was released by British authorities.

He later folded up his "Free Assange" banner and walked across to a rooftop balcony where police took him into custody.

A government spokesman confirmed the presiding officers of parliament had sought an urgent briefing on the matter.

It is understood charges are yet to be laid.

Assange, 48, is in prison in England fighting extradition to the United States.

If extradited, he could face decades behind bars on spying and hacking charges.