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2h ago

High Court Upholds Cancellation of Russia’s Canberra Embassy Lease, Orders Compensation

The court validated Canberra's 2023 lease cancellation on security grounds, ordering compensation to Russia.

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FILE - A man walks along a fence that surrounds a a building on the grounds of a proposed new Russian embassy near the Australian Parliament in Canberra where an Australian Federal Police officer observes from his vehicle, Friday, June 23, 2023. (AP Photo/Rod McGuirk, File)
Russia was granted a 99-year lease in 2008 after paying nearly three million Australian dollars for the site, which sat about 400 metres from the parliamentary precinct
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Overview

  • Seven High Court judges unanimously ruled the 2023 law ending Moscow’s 99-year lease was a valid exercise of legislative power to acquire property on just terms.
  • The Commonwealth must pay compensation to Russia and cover half of Russia’s legal costs from the case.
  • The government relied on specific ASIO advice about the site’s proposed construction and capabilities, with the details withheld under public interest immunity.
  • The plot lies roughly 300–400 meters from Parliament House and was leased to Russia in 2008 for about A$2.75 million, with construction largely stalled.
  • Attorney-General Michelle Rowland said the government will consider next steps following the ruling, as Russia has condemned the move and previously mounted a brief on-site occupation.