The Kremlin has added 235 Australians, among them former Victoria Premier Daniel Andrews and a swathe of other politicians, to a list of people banned from entering Russia.
It comes after Canberra, following international trends, imposed autonomous sanctions on Russia in response to the ongoing war with Ukraine. The sanctions were first imposed in 2014 at the commencement of the Russo-Ukrainian War but were extended in early 2022 after the invasion of Ukraine, and in 2023 as the conflict escalated.
Since the 2022 invasion, the Russian Ministry has claimed that over 444,000 Ukrainian service personnel have been killed and wounded.
As a result of the 2022 sanctions, the Russian government released a banned list of 41 Australian reporters, defence lobbyists, and local council members barred from entering the country, including executives from military contractors Thales Australia, DroneShield, and BAE Systems.
The sanctions include restrictions on the export-import and supply of certain goods, coupled with restrictions on commercial activities in Australia including real estate transactions and travel bans on “designated” persons with associations with Putin’s government. The sale of arms, certain luxury goods, and machinery used in oil exploration are also banned.
The list includes Victorian Deputy Premier Ben Carroll, Treasurer Tim Pallas, Opposition Leader John Pesutto, Labor MP Paul Mercurio, independent Moira Deeming, and former Labor Deputy Premier James Merlino.
South Australians included are former Liberal Premier Stephen Marshall, Deputy Premier Susan Close, Treasurer Stephen Mullighan, Energy Minister Tom Koutsantonis, Health Minister Chris Picton, Minister for Human Services, Natalie Cook, and Opposition Leader David Speirs.
Mr. Andrews found himself offside with Russia for comments he made in 2022 when he publically vowed to support Ukranians fleeing Russia during the invasion offering safe haven in Victoria.
“With tens of thousands of Ukrainians currently fleeing their home, Victoria stands ready to help,” he wrote on X (Twitter) in February 2022.
“We'll work with the Commonwealth government wherever possible to welcome families seeking either temporary shelter, or to find a new permanent home here in our state.”
Political Bias Against Russia Behind the Ban, Says Moscow
Russia’s foreign ministry said in a statement the banning of media figures and those with a public platform like politicians, was the result of their promotion of “politically-motivated sanctions” as part of what the ministry claimed to be the “West’s Russophobic campaign.”However, Russia does not have the greatest reputation in promoting glasnost when foreign journalists attempt to document the political situation within its borders.
In measures widely condemned by Freedom of the Press associations, a broader crackdown on independent media in Russia has intensified in recent years under President Vladimir Putin’s government.
One such measure is the requirement for foreign journalists to obtain special accreditation from the Russian government to work in the country. This accreditation process has become increasingly difficult, with many journalists facing long delays or outright denials.
In addition, Russia has also passed laws that limit the ability of foreign media outlets to operate within the country.
For example, a law passed in 2017 requires foreign media organizations to register as “foreign agents” if they receive funding from abroad and engage in “political activities” in Russia.
In 2022, Russia passed a new law that further restricted the activities of foreign journalists. The law requires foreign journalists working for media outlets designated as “foreign agents” to undergo a special screening process by Russian security services.
This process includes providing detailed personal information, including financial records and information about family members.
The West’s “Russophobic” campaign has convinced Moscow that further freedom of movement restrictions are needed against those whom they perceive as proponents of disinformation.
“The decision has been made to indefinitely deny entry to Russia to 235 Australian nationals who are members of municipal councils actively promoting the anti-Russia agenda in their country,” the statement on the Russian Interior Ministry’s website said.
“Taking into account the fact that official Canberra does not intend to abandon its anti-Russian course and continues to introduce new sanctions measures, work on updating the Russian ’stop list' will continue.”
A travel advisory against Australian nationals travelling to Russia has been in place since 2022 from Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.“Russian authorities have made strong, negative comments regarding Western countries,” the advisory states.
“Local authorities may adopt a more negative attitude towards foreigners in Russia and arbitrarily enforce local laws.”
