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Russia loses legal battle over embassy site near Australia’s parliament
Australia’s High Court has ruled against Russia in a dispute over plans to build a new embassy close to the nation’s Parliament House, confirming that the Australian government acted lawfully when it revoked Moscow’s 99-year lease.
The government passed emergency legislation in 2023 to block construction, citing national security risks linked to the site’s proximity—just 300 meters from Parliament. Russian officials had accused Canberra of “Russophobic hysteria” and challenged the decision as unconstitutional.
In its unanimous ruling on Wednesday, the High Court found the lease cancellation was a valid exercise of legislative power, though Russia is entitled to compensation for the roughly $2 million it paid for the lease in 2008.
Attorney General Michelle Rowland welcomed the verdict, stating that Australia “will always stand up for our values and national security.”
Relations between the two nations have long been tense, particularly following the 2014 downing of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
