June 15 (UPI) — Australia’s Parliament has swiftly passed legislation to terminate Russia’s lease on land intended for a new embassy next to Parliament House in Canberra. The bill was introduced by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese during a press conference, where he was joined by opposition leader Minister for Home Affairs Clare O’Neil.
“The government has received clear security advice regarding the risk presented by a new Russian presence in such close proximity to Parliament House. We are taking swift action to prevent the lease site from becoming a formal diplomatic presence,” said Albanese, emphasizing that the decision is made in the national security interests of Australia.
In 2008, Russia entered into an agreement with Australia’s National Capital Authority to lease a block of land in Yarralumla. However, due to years of inactivity, the government terminated the lease in August 2022, which led to litigation from Moscow. Albanese introduced special legislation in response to a federal court ruling that deemed the government’s eviction notice invalid.
Albanese explained that the government’s decision was based on security advice related to the embassy’s construction, location, and potential interference with Parliament House activities. The legislation exclusively addresses the specific risk associated with the site, leaving Russia’s embassy in Griffith and Australia’s diplomatic presence in Moscow unaffected.
At present, there has been no response from Russia. According to O’Neil, the land in question will not be used for any diplomatic office, and its future use will be announced later.
Australia is among the democratic nations supporting Ukraine and providing it with arms against Russia’s invasion. The government has also sanctioned over 1,000 individuals and entities for their alleged support of Russia’s war and imposed trade restrictions.
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