Russia sanctions ex-Vic premier, 234 other Australians

Other Victorians barred indefinitely range from Deputy Premier Ben Carroll, Treasurer Tim Pallas and Opposition Leader John Pesutto, to Labor MP Paul Mercurio, independent Moira Deeming and former Labor deputy premier James Merlino. 

Among the South Australians are Deputy Premier Susan Close, Treasurer Stephen Mullighan, Energy Minister Tom Koutsantonis, Health Minister Chris Picton and Opposition Leader David Speirs.

Russia's foreign ministry said the Australians were handed indefinite bans "in response to politically motivated sanctions against Russian individuals and legal entities by the Australian government".

"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," the ministry said on its website.