Australia bans Russia from building new embassy next to parliament

The Australian Prime Minister has announced that legislation will be passed to end Russia's lease of the site. Photo: Shutterstock

Australia will block the construction of a new Russian embassy next to the country's parliament in Canberra due to fears of national security threats.

Russia is currently leasing a plot of land near the parliament building and intends to build its second embassy there .

However, the Australian government is trying to terminate a long-standing lease agreement, first concluded in 2008.

Australia's House of Representatives on Thursday passed a law barring Russia from renting the proposed site. on the recommendation of law enforcement agencies. The bill must pass the Senate to become law.

“The government has received very clear security advice on the risk of a new Russian presence so close to Parliament,” Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said.< /p>

«We are acting quickly to ensure that the rented site does not become an official diplomatic presence.»

Australia has been vocal in its support for Ukraine in the face of Russia's «illegal and immoral» invasion.

MPs from The opposition and other lawmakers were informed of the legislation on Wednesday evening and agreed to pass it through the House and Senate, Mr. Albanese said.

«Today's decision is in the interest of Australia's national security and I thank the coalition (opposition) and cross members of the House and Senate for their cooperation on this matter,» he said.

«We are dealing with this very specific, and this is based on very specific recommendations, as well as the nature of the construction that is proposed for this site, the location of this site, and the opportunities that may arise in terms of potential interference with the activities that take place in this parliament building.”

The government decided to act after Russia won a Federal Court case last month that prevented it from being evicted from a construction project.

Home Secretary Claire O'Neal said: “ The main problem with the proposed second Russian embassy in Canberra is its location. This location is in close proximity to the Houses of Parliament.”

Russia has an active embassy in Griffith, about 2.4 miles from the Houses of Parliament, which will not be affected.