The Russian Federation has officially launched legal action in the highest court in Australia as it challenges the government’s decision to block its plans for a new embassy in Canberra.
Russia filed an injunction in the High Court on Friday afternoon against new laws rushed through parliament last week to prevent it from using the site in Yarralumla on national security grounds.
The federal government has been preparing for a potential High Court challenge in response to Australia blocking the Kremlin’s plans over concerns the site’s proximity to Parliament House posed a spying risk.
Australian officials were expecting Russia to initially file an injunction to give it more time to prepare to lodge a more formal case, as long as the court agrees to hear it.
Mr Albanese brushed off concerns about the legal action earlier on Friday.
“Now, we actually support the law. Russia has not been really good at the law lately,” he said.
“Their illegal and immoral invasion of Ukraine shows its contempt for the rule of law, for national sovereignty and for the way that it conducts its affairs.
“Australia will stand up for our values and we will stand up for our national security.”
More to come