<p> Australia said on Thursday it would introduce legislation to parliament to cancel Russia's lease to build a new embassy in the national capital of Canberra, citing national security.</p>.<p>The move follows the conclusion of a long-running litigation regarding the leased site after the federal court ruled last month that an eviction order made by the National Capital Authority - a government body tasked with the planning of the national capital - was invalid.</p>.<p>"The government has received very clear security advice as to the risk presented by a new Russian presence so close to parliament house," Prime Minister Anthony Albanese told reporters.</p>.<p>"To be clear, today's decision is one taken in the national security interests of Australia."</p>.<p>Albanese said his government acted quickly to ensure the leased site did not become an official diplomatic presence.</p>.<p>The termination of the lease would have no impact on Russia's existing embassy in Canberra.</p>.<p>Russia bought the lease in 2008 and had plans approved in 2011 but the National Capital Authority blamed the embassy for leaving the site unused, according to Australian media.</p>.<p>Home Affairs Minister Clare O'Neil said the "principal problem" with the proposed second Russian embassy was its location, as the site sits directly adjacent to the parliament house.</p>.<p>The bill has the support of the opposition coalition and is expected to pass both houses.</p>.<p>Albanese said his government has anticipated a response from Russia over the decision and "we will await what response occurs."</p>.<p>"We don't expect that Russia's in a position to talk about international law, given their rejection of it so consistently and so brazenly with their invasion of Ukraine," he said.</p>.<p>Australia is one of the largest non-NATO contributors to the West's support for Ukraine and has been supplying aid, ammunition and defence equipment and has banned exports of alumina and aluminium ores, including bauxite, to Russia.</p>.<p>Since the conflict began, Australia has provided millions in military support to Ukraine and has sanctioned more than 1,000 Russian individuals and entities.</p>
<p> Australia said on Thursday it would introduce legislation to parliament to cancel Russia's lease to build a new embassy in the national capital of Canberra, citing national security.</p>.<p>The move follows the conclusion of a long-running litigation regarding the leased site after the federal court ruled last month that an eviction order made by the National Capital Authority - a government body tasked with the planning of the national capital - was invalid.</p>.<p>"The government has received very clear security advice as to the risk presented by a new Russian presence so close to parliament house," Prime Minister Anthony Albanese told reporters.</p>.<p>"To be clear, today's decision is one taken in the national security interests of Australia."</p>.<p>Albanese said his government acted quickly to ensure the leased site did not become an official diplomatic presence.</p>.<p>The termination of the lease would have no impact on Russia's existing embassy in Canberra.</p>.<p>Russia bought the lease in 2008 and had plans approved in 2011 but the National Capital Authority blamed the embassy for leaving the site unused, according to Australian media.</p>.<p>Home Affairs Minister Clare O'Neil said the "principal problem" with the proposed second Russian embassy was its location, as the site sits directly adjacent to the parliament house.</p>.<p>The bill has the support of the opposition coalition and is expected to pass both houses.</p>.<p>Albanese said his government has anticipated a response from Russia over the decision and "we will await what response occurs."</p>.<p>"We don't expect that Russia's in a position to talk about international law, given their rejection of it so consistently and so brazenly with their invasion of Ukraine," he said.</p>.<p>Australia is one of the largest non-NATO contributors to the West's support for Ukraine and has been supplying aid, ammunition and defence equipment and has banned exports of alumina and aluminium ores, including bauxite, to Russia.</p>.<p>Since the conflict began, Australia has provided millions in military support to Ukraine and has sanctioned more than 1,000 Russian individuals and entities.</p>