Russia’s high court bid over Canberra embassy fails but Australian government has to pay costs | Australia news

Russia has failed in its high court bid to build a new embassy in Canberra, but the federal government will have to pay compensation and cover the costs of the case for canceling the lease.

By majority decision, the Supreme Court ruled that it was legal to cancel the lease in 2023.

However, after the 99-year, $2.75 million lease agreement signed in 2008 was canceled, it was determined that compensation should be paid to Russia.

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Lawyers for the Russian Federation described the compensation offer as a “return case” in case it is prevented from building a new embassy in the region.

In its ruling, the court said that in canceling Anthony Albanese’s lease, the government “received very clear security advice regarding the risk posed by a new Russian presence so close to the Houses of Parliament” and that the proposed legislation to cancel the lease was “based on very specific advice”.

More details coming soon…