Issues-led communications

Australia

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Head of State Prime Minister	Queen Elizabeth II (since February 1952) Scott Morrison (Liberal Party, since August 2018)
Population	25,180,200 (2018)
Size	7,692,024 km² (2,969,907 sq. miles)
Next federal election	2022
Last meeting with Boris Johnson	25 August 2019
Relationship with the UK	The UK and Australia are keen to secure a trade deal as soon as possible. Mr Morrison has suggested that such a deal could be concluded quickly. However, Australian Trade Minister Steven Ciobo had previously tempered expectations. Speaking on BBC radio, he said that detailed progress on an agreement must wait until Brexit is complete and added that an EU deal will take precedence. The UK and Australia have strong economic ties. The UK is the second-largest source of foreign investment into Australia and their trade is valued at $29bn.
What Prime Minister Morrison said on Brexit	“Negotiators have to recognise the mutual benefits that come from co-operative and open financial arrangements and that the UK will continue to play an important role in the EU financial system.”
Australia’s priorities	Australia’s main priorities are introducing stricter laws to counter terrorism, introducing a childcare package, tackling youth unemployment, softening laws on parental leave and reforming the budget.