Question to the Department for International Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, pursuant to the 23 April 2021 Joint Statement on UK-Australia trade talks, what remaining issues are yet to be resolved in the proposed trade agreement with Australia.

Talks during Minister Tehan’s visit were very positive and have moved negotiations closer to a high-standard Free Trade Agreement later this year. Consensus has been reached on the vast majority of the deal, including ambitious provisions on services, innovation and mobility. The UK and Australia have agreed to intensify negotiations with a view to reaching agreement in principle in June.

These are live negotiations; the Secretary of State and Minister Tehan are continuing to hold weekly calls in the run up to this June moment to make progress on outstanding issues.