As the world slides towards Cold War 2.0, Australia has joined other countries in expelling a pair of Russian diplomats described as "undeclared intelligence officers".

In practical terms, Australia had little choice. To refuse to join what has become a co-ordinated international condemnation of Russian espionage and state-sanctioned murder in Britain would have constituted a statement in the other direction - that of tacit acceptance.

Australia could certainly not be accused of overreach. Its response has matched but not exceeded several other countries including Albania, ranked 126th economy in the world.

Labor backed the move, which Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and Foreign Minister Julie Bishop said reflected "the shocking nature of the attack" against two former Russian nationals on English soil, on March 4.