Direct to Australia’s Parliament
Russia wants to enforce embassy in court
06/23/2023, 2:42 p.m
Ironically, very close to the Australian Parliament, Russia is planning an embassy – until the government there stops the construction by law. But Moscow is not going to be put off that easily and is appealing to Australia’s highest court.
After stopping the construction of a Russian embassy in the immediate vicinity of Parliament in Canberra, Russia wants to take legal action against the relevant decision by the Australian authorities. Moscow has decided to challenge “the validity of the legislation on a constitutional basis” in Australia’s highest court, an Australian government spokesman said.
The Australian government quickly passed legislation through parliament to block the project about a week ago after a meeting of the safety committee. According to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, it is not a matter of preventing a Russian diplomatic representation in Australia, just that no embassy building should be built in the immediate vicinity of Parliament. Under the new laws, Russia may be entitled to financial compensation.
According to Home Secretary Clare O’Neil, the site in question is adjacent to the Houses of Parliament. The planning authority approved the leasing of the property in December 2008, and the building permits were granted in 2011. Russia contractually committed to completing the construction work within three years – but the half-finished new embassy building was never completed.
The planning authority finally terminated the lease agreement, arguing that the permanent construction site disturbed “the overall aesthetic impression” of the diplomatic quarter and did not do justice to its “importance and dignity”. However, a court declared the dismissal null and void, which is why the law has now been passed. According to the Australian Ministry of the Interior, no decision has yet been made on the future use of the site.