Brexit: Australia to team with NZ to negotiate new trade, immigration deals

Needless to say the Brexit vote in the UK has not passed unnoticed in political circles ‘down under’, as ABC News reports. New opportunities beckon.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has announced Australia will team up with New Zealand in a bid to negotiate new trade and immigration deals in the wake of the Brexit vote in the UK.

He has also ordered an urgent review from Treasury officials and diplomats over the implications of Britain’s exit from the European Union.

Mr Turnbull told reporters in Adelaide on Monday he had been in contact with his New Zealand counterpart John Key, warning the implications of Friday’s historic vote were “considerable”. “We have many, many common interests in terms of dealing with that, both from a trade point of view, from a movement of persons point of view,” he said.

“There are some big issues in terms of the access of Australians and New Zealanders to Europe and indeed to the United Kingdom.”

Mr Turnbull said he wanted to establish a “collaborative, cooperative framework” with New Zealand if he was returned as prime minister.

He warned there were “opportunities and challenges” arising from the United Kingdom’s decision and he had ordered a “comprehensive report” on its likely consequences.

“We are keeping a very, very close eye on it,” Mr Turnbull said.

Key points:
— Malcolm Turnbull has spoken with NZ PM about Brexit
— Treasury, diplomats to provide report on Brexit implications
— John Howard says Brexit shows need for strong border control

Full report: Brexit: Australia to team with NZ to negotiate new trade, immigration deals, Malcolm Turnbull says – ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)