Australia’s highest court on Wednesday rejected Russia’s challenge to a law that evicted the state on security grounds from a site where Moscow wanted to build its new embassy. Seven High Court judges unanimously ruled that while the Australian government was entitled to cancel the lease in the national capital, Canberra, it also owed Russia compensation. Australia must pay half of Russia’s legal costs for bringing the case to court. Attorney-General Michelle Rowland said she welcomed the court’s finding that the government had acted lawfully in terminating the lease. “Australia will always stand up for our values and we will stand up for our national security,” Rowland said in a statement. “The government will closely consider the next steps in light of the court’s decision,” she added, referring to paying compensation.
