Foreign minister Julie Bishop has described her British counterpart Boris Johnson as a good friend of Australia who helped the United Kingdom secure its strategic interests in the Pacific.
Ms Bishop said she would “miss” Mr Johnson, who has resigned in protest over Theresa May’s new ‘soft Brexit’ approach to leaving the European Union.
“Boris Johnson is a great friend of Australia,” Ms Bishop told reporters at Parliament House on Tuesday.
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“He was reshaping Britain's foreign policy, including in relation to deeper engagement in the Pacific, announcing more UK posts in our part of the world.”
Ms Bishop said she had developed a “very close personal rapport” with Mr Johnson over his years in the role, but she looked forward to meeting his incoming replacement Jeremy Hunt.
She said Australia would press on with negotiations to secure a free-trade deal with the UK as soon as was “appropriate”.
The Turnbull government is trying to lock down free-trade deals with both the European Union and the United Kingdom to give Australian exporters cheaper access to both markets. Last month, SBS News revealed the EU negotiations were already underway.
“I have been foreign minister of Australia for five years. There have been a number of British foreign secretaries in that time and there is always a close and deep engagement.”
In his letter of resignation, Mr Johnson said Britain was heading for the “status of colony” and that the Brexit “dream is dying”.
UK Prime Minister Theresa May said the decision was “surprising” but agreed it was necessary if Mr Johnson was not on board with the government’s plan.
The resignation has prompted speculation that Mr Johnson may challenge Ms May for the leadership of the ruling Conservatives.
