The federal government has rushed legislation through parliament to prevent Russia’s long-held plan of building a new embassy near Parliament House in Canberra.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese confirmed the move on Thursday.
“Today’s decision is one taken in the national security interests of Australia,” he said at Parliament House.
“The government has received very clear security advice as to the risks presented by a new Russian presence so close to Parliament House.
“We are acting quickly to ensure the lease site does not become a formal diplomatic presence.”
The legislation had the backing of the opposition. Crossbenchers were also briefed on the legislation.
“We anticipate this legislation will pass both the House of Representatives and the Senate this morning,” Mr Albanese said.
Thursday’s move came after the Federal Court in May overruled a decision by the National Capital Authority to evict Russia from a site within 500 metres of Parliament House.
Home Affairs Minister Clare O’Neil said the government would not allow the land to be used by the Russian Federation.
“The government has received clear national security advice that this would be a threat to our national security,” she said.
“That is why the government is acting decisively today to bring this long-standing matter to a close.”
Russia’s existing embassy in the inner-south suburb of Griffith will not be affected by the decision.
“The Australian government maintains diplomatic relations with the Russian Federation. But we will always, always act in Australia’s national interest,” Ms O’Neil said.
Mr Albanese said the government was expecting a response from Moscow.
“We will await what response occurs, but we have anticipated that as well,” he 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 and the atrocities that have occurred that are occurring on an ongoing basis.”
But Mr Albanese said Russia’s presence in Canberra would continue “just as Australia has a diplomatic presence in Moscow.”
“This is not about changing that, this is about the specific risk presented by this site,” he said.
Opposition defence spokesman Andrew Hastie said the Coalition would stand with the government on the issue of national security.
“Russia has not acted in good faith towards its neighbours in recent times … it continues its campaign [in Ukraine] trashing the principles of territorial and political sovereignty,” he said.
“There is a trust deficit, there is a real risk to our national interest here and the security advice is that this lease must be terminated.”
The Russian embassy has been contacted for comment.
– with AAP
