'Abandoned by Oz' Assange offered 'Aboriginal Nations passport'

Sydney - Wikileaks founder Julian Assange has been offered an Aboriginal Nations passport after he was 'abandoned' by Australian authorities.

Assange's father, John Shipton, accepted the document at a celebration in Sydney on Saturday.

He said his son had been jilted by the Australian government, and the passport ceremony was a show of solidarity.

"Australian governments of every colour are happy to abandon their citizens when they're in difficult situations overseas," News.com.au quoted Shipton, as saying.

The ceremony came almost a month after Ecuador's decision to grant Assange diplomatic asylum.

Assange has been staying at Ecuador's embassy in London since June 19 to avoid extradition to Sweden, where he is wanted for questioning over sexual assault allegations.

According to the report, the group that organised the ceremony, the Indigenous Social Justice Association, wants recognition of Aboriginal sovereignty.

Shipton said his son had requested a change to the wording of the document but embraced the cause.

"Julian has always expressed the desire that the Aboriginal people of Australia be recognised as sovereign. It is a point of view that is becoming more accepted," he added.