Sunday, 18 September 2016

Australia is pushing for more UK visas as part of BREXIT negotiations

Australia

Australia will push for more business, student and work visas for its citizens in the UK, as part of a new trade agreement after Brexit.

Foreign Minister Julie Bishop said this was "obviously" something that could be part of the free trade agreement that the countries have agreed to negotiate after the UK leaves the European Union.

"Being able to live, work or spend time, study in each other's countries is something to which we would aspire," she said.

"Should we be in the position to conclude a free trade agreement after Brexit then obviously this can be the subject of a free trade agreement. It's something that we were able to achieve with the United States.

"I certainly look forward to increasing the number of business visas, student visas, work visas between Australia and the UK."

UK Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson had campaigned vociferously as London mayor for greater visa rights for Australians despite an attempted government crack-down on immigration.

He said he would continue to campaign for that as foreign secretary.

"We can't do anything until we have completed our negotiations with the European Union, until we have come out of the EU treaties, which affect our control of free movement – we'll have to sort that out first," he said.

"I think it would be a fantastic thing if we had a more sensible system (for Australians). This is something where I think we can make progress and I'm confident that we will."

Mr Johnson also admitted he was no longer in favour of the UK applying an Australian points-style immigration system, despite promising it during his campaign for Brexit.

Prime Minister Theresa May has said such a system was not appropriate for the UK.

"The critical utensil that needs to be applied is of course control," Mr Johnson said. "The slogan was 'take back control'. That was the ambition and that's what we're going to do."

Mr Johnson and Ms Bishop joined their defence counterparts, Michael Fallon and Marise Payne, for an 'Aukmin' meeting at Chelsea Hospital in London.

There was an "almost glutinous" (glue-like) harmony between the UK and Australia, Mr Johnson said.

The two foreign minsters joined to condemn the latest nuclear test by North Korea, which Mr Johnson said threatened the stability and security of that region.

On Friday morning Mr Johnson and Ms Bishop made a joint phone call to the Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida.

"(We) reassured him that Australia and the UK joins with the international community in condemning this recent provocation, Ms Bishop said.

"We will take every opportunity in the coming weeks, including during the UN General Assembly Leaders Week in September to take action to ensure that North Korea receives the message loud and clear that it is in flagrant breach of UN Security Council resolutions and the international laws and norms."

Mr Johnson said the would would "have to think about how to calibrate our response" but they were looking for a UN Security Council resolution and strong condemnation.

Both he and Ms Bishop called on China to use its influence on North Korea to stop future tests.

And Ms Bishop said tougher sanctions may be the answer.

After a nuclear test in January sanctions were imposed by the UN Security Council and EU, prohibiting North Korea's export of coal or iron – however there was a "livelihood" exemption. Ms Bishop said that exemption "may well need to be considered".

On the shooting down of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 in 2014, Ms Bishop said the two countries had discussed how the perpetrators could be brought to account if they are identified by a report expected this year from an international Joint Investigation Team.

"There are a number of options available," she said. Russia has said it would veto any attempt to take action through the UN Security Council, but "we will not be deterred by Russia's use of the veto – there are a number of mechanisms available domestically and internationally to pursue perpetrators", Ms Bishop said.

"We will not rest until we have pursued every option available to us to ensure that the families and loved ones of those who died receive justice," she said.

Mr Johnson said "if we can settle on a jurisdiction we will push very hard for that trial to take place".

Mr Fallon said the two defence ministers had talked about how the two countries could better collaborate, giving Australia easier access into NATO exercises.

They would also strengthen the 'Five Eyes' cyber-surveillance project, which includes the UK and Australia.

Ms Payne said the countries' military would share more technology and skills.


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