Lords hear from Australian High Commissioner on progress of UK-Australia trade talks
Monday 19 October 2020
On Wednesday, the House of Lords International Agreements Sub-Committee will hear from the Australian High Commissioner on the ambition and progress of UK-Australia trade negotiations.
The second round of UK-Australia trade talks was completed earlier this month, and the next round will begin at the end of November. A deal with Australia could help the UK in its efforts to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Trans-Pacific Trade Partnership, as well as directly boosting the economy. But it could also pose potential challenges for some UK industries.
The evidence session will be conducted on Zoom and can be followed on Parliament TV from 4pm Wednesday 21 October.
Giving evidence will be:
- The Hon George Brandis QC, Australian High Commissioner
- Simon Smalley, Minister-Counsellor (Agriculture)
- Stephen Dietz, First Secretary (Trade)
Questions are likely to include:
- What are the possible benefits for the UK in entering a trade agreement with Australia?
- What is Australia’s view of the approach that the UK and the EU have reached in splitting EU tariff rate quotas between them?
- How has Australia developed its domestic product standards for agricultural goods, and how it approaches regulatory cooperation with its trading partners?
- What are Australia’s key objectives in terms of financial and professional services in the negotiations?
- Where are the opportunities for UK and Australia to work together in international trade?
- How might Australia’s negotiations with the EU affect its negotiations with the UK, and vice versa?
- What do you think the UK stands to gain from joining the CPTPP?
