Australia passes new law to block Russia from building new embassy
Russia leased a plot of land just 400 meters from the Australian Parliament in Canberra where it was building a new embassy.
The government tried to stop the construction work of the Russian embassy by approaching the court, but the court did not do so.
As a result, the Australian government today passed new laws specifically designed to stop the construction of a Russian embassy.
Intelligence officials had warned the government that Russia’s embassy near Parliament could pose espionage and security risks.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said that new laws have been prepared after the meeting of the National Security Committee.
Talking to mediapersons, he said that the government was given a very clear security advice and therefore we have quickly passed laws to stop the construction work so that the leased land does not officially become a diplomatic site.
The Russian diplomat told the news agency that the embassy is conducting legal consultations in this regard.
Under a new law passed by Australia, Russia can’t just set up an embassy near parliament.
The law recognizes that Russia will be financially compensated for halting construction.