News.com.au reported today (June 15) that Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has passed a law to end the lease of land to Russia to build an embassy right next to Parliament House in Canberra. The content of the law is expected to be announced later in the day.
Speaking to reporters in Canberra, Mr Albanese said the move was to ensure national security.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese speaks in Sydney, July 2022
"The government has received very clear security advice about the risks posed by a new Russian presence so close to Parliament House. We are acting quickly to ensure the leased premises do not become an official diplomatic presence," Mr Albanese said.
While condemning Russia's military activities in Ukraine, the Australian prime minister stressed that the withdrawal of the land lease decision was not intended to completely prevent Moscow's presence in Canberra.
"Russia does have a diplomatic presence here and that will continue at their existing facilities in Griffith, just as Australia has a diplomatic presence in Moscow," Mr Albanese said, adding that he was now waiting for a response from the Russian government.
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Asked whether the government had received advice on the location of the Chinese embassy, which is in the same area as the proposed Russian facility, Mr Albanese would not comment.
CNN quoted Australian Home Affairs Minister Clare O'Neil later reiterating that the land would not be used for "future diplomatic presence", while identifying the issue because of its proximity to Parliament House.
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