This is a very good time to be an Australian in the UK: Brandis

George Brandis is “delighted” by Peter Dutton’s loss in last week’s leadership spill, his most trusted former adviser says.

IAustralian High Commissioner George Brandis pictured in his office at the Australian High Commission in London. Picture: Ben Stevens

Former attorney-general George Brandis is “delighted” by Peter Dutton’s loss in last week’s leadership spill, according to his most trusted former adviser.

And Australia’s new high commissioner in London has welcomed Scott Morrison’s appointment of Marise Payne as Foreign Minister, in his first interview since taking up the role in April.

“Marise has been a very close friend for more than 30 years and I very much look forward to working with her,” Mr Brandis said. Her predecessor, Julie Bishop, was his “very good friend and colleague”.

“As one of the leading moderates during the Abbott-Turnbull years, I am sure George would be discreetly delighted with the outcome last week,” said adviser Liam Brennan, referring to the Morrison victory over the Home Affairs Minister after Malcolm Turnbull lost the leadership.

Speaking exclusively to The Australian, Mr Brandis said Australia’s influence in London was now at a peak, as Britain scrambled to strengthen its relations with Commonwealth countries as it sought to negotiate an EU exit deal.

Mr Brennan, appointed chief of staff to the attorney-general at age 26, said Mr Brandis would be “particularly pleased” with the elevation of Simon Birmingham as deputy leader of the government in the Senate: “They are philosophically very similar and close colleagues.”

Ms Bishop appointed Mr Brandis as high commissioner in March after he quit the Senate in December, which paved the way for Christian Porter to become Attorney-General.

“There is quite a lot of anxiety among … the political and official classes here, and there is a very conscious reaching out to old friends — and Australia is pretty much at front of that queue,” Mr Brandis said.

“This is a very good time to be an Australian in the UK … if people use metaphors these days, it’s more of older and younger siblings. You don’t feel patronised any more.”

A source familiar with the matter said: “The relationship between the London high commission and the Foreign Minister’s office has been very close and just got even closer.”