Australian manufacturers and winemakers are a step closer to having certainty about their post-Brexit exports to the UK after a deal was signed to roll over existing trade arrangements.
The agreement, signed by High Commissioner George Brandis and British International Trade Secretary Liam Fox in London on Friday, still needs to be passed by both countries' parliaments before March 29.
Under the deal, Australian winemakers will be able to export products using the same labels, certifications and manufacturing processes to both the UK and the EU after Brexit.
Britain will also accept Australian certification standards for imports of pharmaceuticals, cars, medical devices, food and agricultural goods.
Australia will also recognise UK standards for imported British products.
"This is part of the mechanics of international trade; but there is a symbolic significance in what we've done this morning as well, because what it demonstrates is that when Brexit occurs, on whatever terms that may be, the relationship between Australia and the United Kingdom, the very strong trading relationship that already exists, will continue unaffected," Mr Brandis told the Australian Financial Review.
Dr Fox said the deal was one of the first continuity agreements Britain had signed with a major trading partner.
"As the United Kingdom looks to our Global Britain profile, one of the key partners that we will have is one of our oldest friends, Australia, which happens to be in one of the fastest-growing economic parts of the world - that's where the growth's going to be, and that's where we're going to be," he said.
The high commissioner said he and Dr Fox had also recommitted to the swift negotiation of a free trade agreement between Australia and the UK after Brexit.
The international trade secretary reminded his fellow British parliamentarians of the importance of leaving the European customs union.
"It's important that we don't end up in a customs union, to give us the freedom to negotiate those free trade agreements," Dr Fox said.
"What is very clear is that we have to leave the European Union, that is what our voters instructed us.
"In my view that means leaving the customs union and the single market.
"And whether we can get a deal through parliament or not, we will be leaving the European Union on the 29th of March because that's what the law currently says."
