Australia to block construction of new Russian embassy over national security concerns
1 min read 15 Jun 2023, 08:52 AM ISTAustralia will block the construction of a new Russian embassy building in Canberra, citing national security concerns. The government plans to bring legislation to terminate the lease, with the bill expected to pass in both houses.
PremiumAustralian government has decided to block the construction of a new Russian embassy building in the capital city of Canberra owing to national security concerns. The government is planning to bring a legislation to terminate the lease of the new building. The bill to terminate the lease has the support of the opposition and is expected to pass in both houses.
While citing that his government has taken a decision in the national interest, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said that his government has received very clear security advice over the risks posed by the new Russian building close to the Parliament House and they are acting quickly to make sure it does not become a formal presence.
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Albanese also added that his government is expecting a response from Russia and will wait to see how the country reacted. Taking a jab at Russia, the Australian PM said, "We don't expect that Russia's in a position to talk about international law, given their rejection of it so consistently and so brazenly with their invasion of Ukraine,"
Australia's Home Affairs Minister Clare O'Neil informed that the main issue with the second Russian embassy is its location which is directly adjacent to the parliament building.
Explaining the legislation that will be brought by her government O'Neil said, "The Bill is straightforward – It identifies a specific piece of land in Canberra which currently has a lease agreement between the National Capital Authority and the Russian Federation -- and it terminates that agreement."
According to AFP, Russia had bought the lease for its new embassy building in 2008 through an agreement with the National Capital Authority and the plans for constructing the building were approved in 2011.
Australian government had earlier tried to terminate the lease agreement by citing that the Russians had broken aspects of its building approval. However, a federal court ruled last month that the eviction notice by the National Capital Authority was invalid.
(With inputs from Reuters, AFP)