Federal Treasurer Peter Costello says the Government is making it very clear to the American authorities that it wants the trial of David Hicks to proceed as quickly as possible.
Hicks, who is from Adelaide, has been detained at Guantanamo Bay for five years and is in the process of being charged with attempted murder and providing material support for terrorism.
Mr Costello's comments came as a Fairfax newspaper reports that the Prime Minister John Howard is working to have Hicks brought home before the federal election this year.
The Sun-Herald quotes an unnamed senior government adviser as saying that Mr Howard, taking heed of mounting public pressure, "wants this issue off the agenda before the election campaign starts".
Mr Costello has told Channel 10 he believes the Hicks case is straightforward and the Government will be concerned if there is any delay in leading evidence.
"There is no reason why the charges can't proceed forthwith, they should, the Australian Government is making it clear it expects those charges to proceed forthwith," Mr Costello said.
"If they do proceed forthwith he has the chance to have his day in court and the prosecutors have the chance to lead the case against him."
Smith 'chips in'
There are also reports that Australian entrepreneur Dick Smith has given $60,000 to the campaign to bring Hicks home.
Sky News says the businessman wants to help secure a fair trial.
Hicks, a convert to Islam, was captured in Afghanistan where he allegedly fought alongside the ruling Taliban against US-led forces who invaded after the terrorist attacks on the United States on September 11, 2001.
The US charged him with conspiracy, attempted murder by an unprivileged belligerent and aiding the enemy.
But the charges were dropped after the US Supreme Court ruled it was unlawful for the US military commission to try him.
