Scott Morrison phones in to Boris Johnson as trade deal looms

Scott Morrison has phoned Boris Johnson to congratulate him on becoming Britain’s new Prime Minister.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has called his new British counterpart Boris Johnson to congratulate him. Picture: AAP

Scott Morrison last night phoned Boris Johnson to congratulate him on becoming Britain’s new Prime Minister.

Mr Morrison called Mr Johnson shortly after 10.30pm from The Lodge.

“I took the opportunity to personally congratulate Boris on his election as the new Conservative leader and wish him every success for the big challenges he now faces ahead,” Mr Morrison told The Australian. “UK and Australia have the best of relationships and I have no doubt that Boris and I will be able to take this to a new level in the post-Brexit era.”

The two leaders will meet next month when Mr Morrison travels to France for the G7 world leaders meeting where Australia will attend as an observer country for the first time at a leaders level. It comes as Australia works towards a free-trade deal with Britain within months “or even weeks” of a final Brexit outcome under new British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, ­ Trade Minister Simon Birmingham says.

Britain's new Prime Minister Boris Johnson. Picture: AFP

Senator Birmingham yesterday said it was hoped the trade agreement would restore much of the market access that Australia lost when Britain entered the common market in 1973.

He said Mr Johnson’s declaration that the Brexit date should not be moved beyond October 31 would establish a starting point for formal negotiations.

“The UK, technically, is not able to negotiate new trade agreements with other countries until they actually terminate their Customs union with the EU,” he said.

“But we would move as swiftly as we can. We already put in place a trade working group between Australia and the UK to explore possibilities. And that will put us in a position where, if the UK wanted to get the deal done in a period of months, maybe even weeks, well, we would be willing to move as swiftly as they were able to.”

Australian farmers would be among the biggest winners from such a deal, while services businesses would also stand to gain.

Foreign Minister Marise Payne echoed Mr Morrison’s praise for Mr Johnson a day earlier, saying he had “a reputation for getting things done”. “Brexit … is an opportunity for our two countries to reinvigorate our already strong economic partnership and we will be ready to launch negotiations on an FTA as soon as it is possible for the UK post-Brexit,” she said. “Despite the uncertainty surrounding Brexit, Australians can be assured we have been preparing for all eventualities, including a ‘no-deal’.”

Queensland Liberal senator James McGrath, who served as a staffer to Mr Johnson when he was London mayor, said he believed his former boss would be good for Australia. “He’s been to Australia quite a few times,” Senator McGrath told Sky News. “He’s Prime Minister now of our closest ally; it is good news for Australia.”

Former foreign minister Julie Bishop also said Mr Johnson would “rise to the occasion”.

“I developed a good working relationship with him over many years. I have seen him in action in forums around the world and it would be a huge mistake to underestimate him, as many critics do,” she said. “Boris Johnson has a close relationship with Australia for a British Prime Minister. He spent his gap year here, attending Geelong Grammar. He knows many Australian politicians and figures well.”

Additional reporting: AAP