International trade secretary, Liz Truss, has said that signing a trade deal was an “absolute priority” after Britain left the EU and indicated that an agreement could be reached within months of Brexit.
It is believed that the proposal would allow British citizens to live and work in Australia visa-free, and vice-versa.
Liz Truss said: “We’ve been clear on the fact we want to adopt the Australian-based points system in terms of our new immigration system as we leave the European union. We’ve recently made an announcement that we’re extending the work period after foreign students come to the UK for two years.
“But of course, our two countries have a special link and a historic relationship, and it’s certainly something that we will be looking at as part of our free-trade negotiations.”
Britain is currently Australia’s seventh-largest trading partner and the relationship is said to be worth up to $26.6bn (£14.60bn) to the two countries.
Australian trade minister, Simon Birmingham, said that a future trade deal with Britain would particularly benefit the UK’s agricultural sector.
Liz Truss said the UK and Australia were “old friends, with new opportunities” and indicated that a deal could be reached quickly.
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