Russia has issued a bold threat to Australia following the Albanese government’s decision to terminate a lease agreement for a new embassy near Parliament House.
The federal government appeared to rush through legislation yesterday – ruining Russia’s plans to build a new embassy near Parliament House in Canberra.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says the snap decision was a matter of national security.
The Prime Minister and Home Affairs Minister Clare O’Neil on Thursday announced legislation would be rushed through the parliament to prevent Moscow from expanding their diplomatic presence.
The pair cited the land’s proximity to Parliament House posed a threat to national security.
Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov swiftly reacted to the decision, labelling it a form of “Russophobic hysteria”.
“To our regret, Australia diligently continues to move in the main stream of the authors of the Russophobic hysteria that is now taking place in the Western countries. Australia is trying to be an excellent student there,” he told the state’s Russian News Agency TASS.
Peskov then issued a not-so-subtle threat to Australia, warning Moscow may retaliate if Canberra continues its “unfriendly display”.
“We will take this into account and if there are issues on the agenda that require the principle of reciprocity, we will act accordingly,” he said.
The Russian Federation already has an embassy in Australia’s capital but desired to build a second site next to the Chinese Embassy.
The National Capital Authority previously tried to terminate and evict the embassy from the site but the Federal Court ruled the move was invalid, forcing Anthony Albanese to intervene.
The Russian embassy in Australia told TASS the lease termination was “another step by Anthony Albanese towards a deliberate and systematic destruction of relations with Moscow”.
However, Mr Albanese on Thursday noted Russia was not in a position to be offended.
“To be clear – today’s decision is one taken in the national security interests of Australia,” he said at the press conference.
“We don’t expect that Russia’s in a position to talk about international law given their rejection of it so consistently and so brazenly with their invasion of Ukraine and the atrocities that have occurred that are occurring on an ongoing basis.”
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Ms O’Neil introduced the legislation to the House of Representatives following the joint press conference, with the Coalition and Crossbench both in support.
“This bill demonstrates the government’s continued commitment to protecting our parliament and our national security,” Ms O’Neil said.
“The Australian government maintains diplomatic relations with the Russian Federation but we will always, always act in Australia’s national interest.”
The land will not be used for another nation’s embassy.