Ms Robinson thanked Mr Albanese, Penny Wong, the foreign minister, and Mark Dreyfus, the attorney general.
She also commended the “relentless” Kevin Rudd, the former prime minister who is now Australia’s ambassador in Washington, and the “tireless” work of Stephen Smith, the High Commissioner in London.
The agreement that secured Assange’s release was the culmination of quiet diplomacy between Washington and Canberra in recent weeks. It was also seen as a test for Mr Albanese’s relationship with the US since his government came to power in 2022.
Mr Smith accompanied Assange on Monday as he was driven to Stanstead Airport from Belmarsh Prison where he had spent the past five years.
Having refused to travel to the continental US, the former prisoner flew on a chartered jet from London to Saipan, a Northern Mariana Island about 1,800 miles north of Australia.
The trip was reportedly estimated to cost £409,000, to be covered by Assange, whose supporters have set up a “freedom flight” fund. More than £299,000 had been received in donations by Wednesday morning.
“Julian will owe USD 520,000 which he is obligated to pay back to the Australian government for the charter flight to Saipan and onward to Australia,” read a fundraising page shared by Mrs Assange.
“In addition, and after 14 years of detention, including five years in maximum security prison, Julian’s health is in dire need of recovery.”