INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
Australia's trade minister appears to have ruled out including visa-free travel in a post-Brexit trade deal with the UK.Simon Birmingham
said he "can't imagine full and unfettered free movement" will be up for negotiation during trade discussions.He told The Sydney Morning
Herald: "We're not into full negotiating mode and we will have to see what the UK aspires to."But noting that work rights and movement of
people in the UK has been a big part of the European Union debate, I would be surprised if complete liberalisation around migration and
labour rights was on their agenda."Mr Birmingham did say that he expected existing immigration rules would be adjusted to allow "more
flexibility", however."How you draw the line around rights to access work visas and other visas is a different question, that has an entire
spectrum of grey, between the black and white of no movement and unfettered movement," he added.Image:'We're not into full negotiating
mode,' said Australian trade minister Simon BirminghamBritain's international trade secretary Liz Truss promoted the idea of free movement
between the two countries during a visit to Australia in September, although she later appeared to step back from her comments.Prime
Minister Boris Johnson has also described the two countries as sharing "very, very similar interests and a uniquely shared set of
values".Australia already has a free movement agreement with New Zealand but Australian prime minister Scott Morrison has said that this
arrangement is "not one we would probably ever contemplate extending".The Herald expressed concerns that a deal with the UK could "unleash
significant economic and social consequences" for Australia, including an "influx of unskilled Brits to Sydney and Melbourne".Currently,
Australians can come to the UK without a visa for up to six months as a tourist
To work, they must get either a working holiday visa, be sponsored, or have UK heritage via a parent of grandparent.Britons need a visa to
enter Australia, even as tourists.Mr Birmingham said he hopes a trade deal can be agreed by the December 2020 deadline that Britain has set
to finalise its post-Brexit relationship with Europe.
