Australia Cancels New Land Rental For Russian Embassy

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese (right) with US President Joe Biden and Canadian PM Justin Trudeau/PHOTO via Instagram @albomp

JAKARTA - The Australian government canceled land leases for the Russian Embassy to establish a new building near the Australian Parliament Building.

Within just one hour of the government announcing a bill to end the lease period, the Australian Parliament passed it with opposition support, according to an ABC News report reported by ANTARA, Thursday, June 15.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the government was taking the step considering the risks of the Russian Embassy at the new location.

"The government has received very clear security advice regarding the risks posed by the presence of a new Russian building so close to the Australian Parliament," Albanese told reporters in Parliament, according to a transcript on its official website.

Albanese said the decision was taken for Australia's national interest and he thanked lawmakers for their cooperation.

He denied the move was taken to expel Russian diplomats due to the ongoing war in Ukraine.

Albanese ensures Russia's diplomatic presence will continue.

"Just like Australia, which has a diplomatic presence in Moscow. It's not about changing that, it's about the specific risks that exist at this location, and that's why we took this action," he said.

Australian Interior Minister Clare O'Neil said the bill was aimed at preventing a plot of land from being leased by the National Capital Authority to the Russian Federation.

"The main problem with the proposed location of the two Russian Embassys in Canberra is the location directly adjacent to the Parliament Building," O'Neil said.