Within three hours of Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s public announcement of the law preventing Russia from building a new embassy building near the parliament building in Canberra, the bill passed through parliament and then the Senate.
Noting that they received advice from law enforcement agencies, Albenese said, “The government has received clear security advice regarding the risk posed by a new Russian presence so close to the parliament building. We are acting quickly to prevent the leased space from becoming an official diplomatic asset.” used the phrase.
Anthony Albanese stated that other lawmakers who were not in line with the government were also informed and persuaded about the law.
Australian Interior Minister and Cyber Security Minister Clare O’Neil, in her speech in the parliament, emphasized that they will not allow espionage and foreign intervention in their country, and said that they will not apologize to anyone for their decisions against threats to democracy.
O’Neil stated that the main problem with the planned Russian embassy is its location and that no embassy will be allowed to be in that area.
Peter Dutton, Chairman of the main opposition Liberal Party, also stated that the Parliament is united against the Russian threat.
The law is expected to take effect within days of the approval of Australia’s Governor-General, David Hurley.
The Russian Embassy in Canberra stated that they will make a statement on the subject in the coming hours.
Meanwhile, the National Capital Authority, which manages the leases of the embassies, decided to terminate the lease on the grounds that the unfinished buildings damaged the general aesthetics and reputation of the area reserved for diplomatic missions.
In 2011, Russia agreed to complete construction in three years under lease terms, but only built a small portion of the planned complex.
Russia announced that it has spent $5.5 million on the building so far.