Australia's High Court bans russia from building new embassy in Canberra

This was reported by AP, according to Ukrinform.

As noted, in 2008, the Australian government granted russia the right to lease land 300 metres from the parliament building to construct a second embassy. Currently, russia uses the Soviet-era embassy in the suburb of Griffith, located further from the centre.

In 2023, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said his government had ‘received very clear security advice about the risk posed by a new russian presence so close to the Parliament building.’ On the same day, Parliament passed an emergency law cancelling the lease. This decision came after russia won an appeal in the Federal Court against the eviction initiated by the local authorities in Canberra.

At that time, the site remained largely undeveloped, except for a small consular building.

The Australian High Court has now rejected russia's appeal against this law. Seven judges unanimously ruled that the Australian government had the right to terminate the lease, but must compensate russia for part of the costs.

Attorney General Michelle Rowland welcomed the court's decision, stressing that the government had acted lawfully in terminating the lease.

‘Australia will always uphold its values and protect national security. The government will carefully consider its next steps in light of the court's decision,’ Rowland said, referring to the payment of compensation.

The recommendations provided to the government by the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation regarding the risks posed by the russian federation were not disclosed in court due to their confidential nature.

Source: Ukrinform, AP