Global security, stability relies on amicable Brexit negotiations, Australian High Commissioner warns

FORGET visas, cheap Europe trips and free trade. There is one fear that dwarfs all others for Australia, and it’s looking more likely as Brexit turns sour.

Pro-Brexit demonstrators hold Union Jack flags as they protest outside the Houses of Parliament on November 23, 2016 in London, England. Picture: Jack Taylor/Getty Images

GLOBAL security, trade and the stability of the international system could take a body blow if Britain crashes out of the European Union (EU) in a bitter “no deal” scenario.

That’s according to Australia’s High Commissioner to the UK, Alexander Downer, who said while Australia would not provide a “running commentary” on Brexit negotiations, both the UK and the EU have a responsibility to the rest of the world to resolve their “divorce” amicably.

“In this era of changing power balances, we want to make sure that the countries that share our perspective …. have the same commitment we have to global stability, holding together as a broad albeit loose coalition,” he said.

“We have a high expectation that in the negotiation between the EU and the UK this overarching factor will be taken into account. It will not be in the interest of the Western world if those negotiations break down in acrimony.

“We won’t be casting blame if it happens except on all of the negotiators. It is incumbent on the British negotiators, but it is incumbent on the EU negotiators [as well] to take these factors into account.”

Australian High Commissioner Alexander Downer. Picture: Christopher Chan

Speaking at the annual Menzies Lecture at King’s College in London, the former foreign minister said the challenges the world is facing make the Brexit negotiations critical for Australia who is a “passionate believer” in free-trade.

It comes as the UK government has increasingly raising the prospect of a “no deal” scenario in which Britain would leave the EU customs union and revert to World Trade Organisation rules when it leaves the bloc in March 2019.

While many advocate the prospect of “no deal” is an essential negotiating tactic, Australia is intent on maintaining the western alliance that has allowed trade and stability to flourish, the High Commissioner said. He added Russia aggression in Europe, the North Korean situation and the rise of China — “the single greatest geo political issue of our era” — have added to the need for stability between major allies.

“Whatever [British] feelings may be about the process of Brexit it is very important to the rest of the world, which by the way is most of the world …. that this process happens as smoothly as possible with as little disruption.”

UK Prime Minister Theresa May has repeatedly said ‘no deal’ is better than a bad deal on Brexit Picture: AFP PHOTO / JOHN THYS

The Brexit vote was won by 52 per cent to 48 per cent. Those who refused to accept it have been branded ‘remoaners' by UK media. Picture: AFP PHOTO / CHRIS J RATCLIFFE

The UK and Australia are currently in preliminary talks about a free-trade deal to be signed after Britain leaves the EU in 2019. Britain is Australia’s seventh largest trading partner, “dwarfed” by China, Japan, South Korea, the US and New Zealand, however it remains a key source of foreign investment and critical destination for Australian companies overseas.

Despite the economics, Downer said the “strongest component” of the relationship between the two countries is personal links with around one million Australians visiting the UK every year and many holding ancestry visas — something that is a “bit of an issue” in Australia at present, he quipped.

The “knotty issue” of greater visa access, stronger links between universities and strengthening already tight intelligence sharing will remain a critical part of any future relationship, he said.

“In the globalised world it matters more and more how many countries are there around the world, not that you collaborate with because there are many, but that you can really trust? Well this is one of those countries that I feel we can really trust.”