UK rejects any new visa deal for Australians after Brexit

Britain’s minister in charge of immigration has shot down plans to assist more Australians to go to the UK.

Amber Rudd has insisted there are “no plans’’ to increase Australian immigration after Brexit. Picture: AFP

Britain’s minister in charge of immigration, the Home secretary Amber Rudd has shot down plans to assist more Australians to come to the UK.

In a volte-face just weeks after the Foreign secretary Boris Johnson spoke about a sensible visa system to help ease the migration between the UK and Australia, Ms Rudd has insisted there are “no plans’’ to increase Australian immigration after Brexit.

Speaking at the Times Red Box fringe event outside of the Conservative Party annual conference in Birmingham, Ms Rudd was emphatic: ‘There are no plans to increase immigration from Australia.

“We have a very good relationship with Australia and the young persons access particular to Australia is very good.’’

She added: “Julie Bishop [the Australian foreign minister] was over just a few weeks ago, we agreed that it was a good thing. She is aware, as everybody is, that everything is under review. But I do think that that particular scheme with Australia works very well, so I wouldn’t envisage a change.”

Mr Johnson had facilitated the meeting between Ms Bishop and Ms Rudd during the bilateral discussions earlier this month in London which were designed to help eliminate current visa hurdles that are restricting Australian’s ability to work in the UK.

At the time Ms Bishop said she discussed the visa hurdles with Ms Rudd.

“We had a very positive and constructive discussion about the opportunity to see more young Australians living and working in London, and likewise for more young Britons to come to Australia under various visas,” Ms Bishop said.

“There was a very positive discussion about it. Boris Johnson related stories about his time as a young man in Australia, and he hoped those opportunities for young Australians and young Britons will continue.”

However last night Ms Rudd ridiculed Mr Johnson’s attempts to introduce a system of migration between the two countries.

She was asked about such a system yesterday and she replied:

“Somebody promised to increase immigration from Australia, who would that be?” When told it was her Cabinet colleague Mr Johnson she said:

“Mr Johnson again, yes.’’

The mixed messages from the British government come as the Prime Minister Theresa May has put controlling migration ahead of any trade negotiations with the European Union. By extension it appears any favourable opening up of the labour market between the UK and Australia will be treated separately to the pursuit of an open trade policy between the two countries.