The Joint Standing Committee on Treaties has recommended the Australian Government ratifies the Free Trade Agreement between Australia and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (AUKFTA).

Media release issue date: Thursday, 17 November 2022

The Joint Standing Committee on Treaties has recommended the Australian Government ratifies the Free Trade Agreement between Australia and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (AUKFTA). Committee Chair, Mr Josh Wilson MP said, “the AUKFTA reflects the longstanding importance, quality, and depth of the political, cultural, and economic relationship between Australia and the United Kingdom while looking to set a framework for future trade and cooperation”. “The AUKFTA would contribute to diversifying Australia’s trade and addresses both traditional free trade agreement concerns while incorporating a range of wider social and economic principles. At the same time, the AUKFTA preserves policy and regulatory space for Parties in rapidly evolving sectors such as digital trade and financial services”, Mr Wilson said. The Committee agreed the liberalisation outcomes appear balanced and while noting there remain some barriers to trade in goods, it was recognised that on entry into force 99 per cent of Australian goods exports by value would enter into the United Kingdom without tariffs. They also saw the liberalisation of the rules for services and investment as having the potential to open new markets for Australian service suppliers. The Committee did however, express ongoing concern regarding the lack of independent economic impact analysis, and the substance and quality of consultation. As such, the Committee also recommended the Australian Government implement the recommendations of its previously made Report 193: Strengthening the Trade Agreement and Treaty-Making Process in Australia. The Report can be found on the Committee website, along with further information on the inquiry. Media inquiries Mr Tim Watkin, Chief of Staff 0434 555 823 For background information Committee Secretariat 02 6277 4002 jsct@aph.gov.au For more information about this Committee, you can visit its website. On the site, you can make a submission to an inquiry, read other submissions, and get details for upcoming public hearings. You can also track the Committee and receive email updates by clicking on the blue ‘Track Committee’ button in the bottom right hand corner of the page.

The Joint Standing Committee on Treaties will hold a public hearing on Tuesday 20 September 2022 into the Free Trade Agreement between Australia and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (Australia-UK Free Trade Agreement).

Media release issue date: Monday, 19 September 2022

The Joint Standing Committee on Treaties will hold a public hearing on Tuesday 20 September 2022 into the Free Trade Agreement between Australia and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (Australia-UK Free Trade Agreement). The Australia-UK Free Trade Agreement is a comprehensive agreement comprising 32 chapters dealing with matters ranging from trade in goods and services to environmental issues, state-owned enterprises and innovation. “Australia is the first country to negotiate a new trade agreement with the UK since it left the EU. The Australia-UK Free Trade Agreement has the potential to give Australian businesses a head start in accessing the UK market – one of the largest in the world,” Committee Chair, Mr Josh Wilson MP, said. “The Committee looks forward to hearing from a range of representatives who can speak to the complexity of the Australia-UK Free Trade Agreement, detail the ways in which it might benefit and otherwise impact Australian businesses and consumers, while canvassing a spectrum of trade and investment issues and concerns”. Public hearing details Date: Tuesday, 20 September 2022 Time: 9.00 am – 5.15 pm AEST The program for this hearing is also available online. Further information on the inquiry can be found on the Committee website. Media inquiries Ms Katharine Longley, Media Adviser 08 9335 8555 For background information Committee Secretariat 02 6277 4002 jsct@aph.gov.au For more information about this Committee, you can visit its website. On the site, you can make a submission to an inquiry, read other submissions, and get details for upcoming public hearings. You can also track the Committee and receive email updates by clicking on the blue ‘Track Committee’ button in the bottom right hand corner of the page.