Winemakers have welcomed a new trade deal between Australia and the United Kingdom, while sugar, beef and sheep exports are also expected to benefit.
Winemakers have welcomed a new trade deal between Australia and the United Kingdom, while sugar, beef and sheep exports are also expected to benefit.
The deal will abolish taxes on 99 per cent of Australian exports worth $10 billion and UK imports worth $200 million.
About $725 million worth of farming products like beef, sugar and dairy will not have a duty imposed.
The tariff-free quota for beef will triple to 110,000 tonnes over 10 years, and then be eliminated.
Similarly, tariff-free quotas for sheep and sugar will roughly triple and then be elimiated.
“Australia is the second largest source of wine imports into the UK by volume," Australian Grape & Wine chief executive Tony Battaglene said.
"In the 12 months ended September 2021, Australia exported 251 million litres valued at $460 million to the United Kingdom.
"It is our number 1 export market by volume and value.
“The agreement eliminates tariffs on wine on entry into force, levelling the playing field for Australia’s wine exports with our major competitors from Continental Europe.
"It also provides a platform for future dialogue to continue to work together on technical issues to further enhance the trade in wine between the two countries”.
Beyond agribusiness
The maximum age that people from both countries can apply for working holiday visas of up to three years will be between 30 to 35 years.
The Australian public sector will now be able to attract contract bids from the UK.
Additionally, British architects, scientists, researchers, lawyers and accountants will have access to visas to work in Australia without being subject to requirements under Australia's skilled occupation list.
But Labor's spokesperson for trade Madeline King expressed her concern at waivers allowing businesses to bring in overseas workers without trying to hire local workers first.
Under some visa types for overseas workers, a business must show they've tested the local market first, usually by advertising the job in Australia.
"It appears that Labor's concerns about waivers of labour market testing rules for migration have not been heeded," Ms King said.
"It is clear that the government has failed to consult adequately with the business community, union movement or civil society on (the) FTA."
Ms King also criticised the level of transparency with the government signing the final deal without any public debate about its draft text.
A Liberal-chaired parliamentary committee on treaties had recommended greater accountability measures including publishing negotiating aims and objectives, and using non-disclosure agreements to allow for improved consultation in trade negotiations.
The UK deal will be scrutinised by the treaties committee after which time Labor will consider its position on ratifying it.
The agreement is due to come into effect some time in 2022 as the government works to implement it.
It was signed by Trade Minister Dan Tehan and UK Secretary of State for International Trade Anne-Marie Trevelyan during a virtual ceremony in Adelaide on Friday, witnessed in person by Finance Minister Simon Birmingham and British high commissioner Vicki Treadell.
"Our economies will be able to operate seamlessly again," Mr Tehan said.
"The experiences and opportunities that young Australians and young Brits will be able to get through this initiative is just fantastic."
The UK is touting the deal as its largest "from scratch" agreement to be finalised, saying it provides a gateway into the fast-growing Indo-Pacific region and boosts the UK's bid to join the 11-country trade pact known as the CPTPP.
The trans-Pacific pact includes Australia, Canada, Japan and New Zealand.
Mr Tehan said involving Britain in the CPTPP would help counter trade uncertainty in the Indo-Pacific created by the level of geostrategic competition.
Ms Treadell said it was a historic and world-class agreement between the two nations.
"Britain is open for business," she said.
