In 2008, Russia obtained a lease agreement for 99 years of land for diplomatic purposes, located just about 300 metres from the Australian Parliament building. The game was planned to build a fresh embassy, as it is present in the suburbs of Canberry, Griffith. For the lease agreement, Russia paid $2.75 million Australian (about $1.79 million US).
In 2023, the Australian government introduced an interior Affairs Act allowing the lease of this land to be cancelled for reasons of state security. As the Prime Minister of Australia said at the time, the decision was made after receiving "very clear safety recommendations regarding the risks posed by the fresh Russian presence so close to the Parliament building".
However, Russia challenged the Australian government's decision to the ultimate Court, claiming that Parliament under the Constitution was not authorized to pass specified a bill. In turn, the government in Canberra argued that under the Constitution's provisions on Parliament's powers to legislate for the territories of the country, the lease agreement could be revoked.
Russian complaint rejected
On Wednesday, the ultimate Court of Australia unanimously ruled that the Act rightly refers to the constitutional right of parliament to occupy land under "fair conditions". It was added that Russia has the right to compensation because, as he stressed, the deficiency of a proposal to usage or apply the land is "unimportant" and the compensation "is required by the Constitution".
Australian lawyer General Michelle Rowland welcomed the ultimate Court decision.
– Australia will always defend our values and we will defend our national safety – she said in a statement.
Polon / PAP
