Hanson wants Assange released

Wikileaks founder Julian Assange has found an ally in Australian politics, and it may surprise some.

One Nation leader Pauline Hanson will petition the Australian and American governments to work on the immediate release of "political prisoner" Assange, who has been holed up in the Ecuadorian embassy in London for four years fearing extradition to Sweden then the US.

"I hope that in light of his great service towards freedom and truth, President-elect Donald Trump will consider granting Mr Assange a full presidential pardon," Senator Hanson said in a statement on Thursday.

The former leader of the Klu Klux Klan praised Mr Assange and Wikileaks, calling him a hero.

David Duke said America owed the Australian its "freedom".

"Julian Assange might not be an American - but he's an American hero and he better be pardoned," he tweeted.