The Australia-United Kingdom Free Trade Agreement (A-UKFTA) was signed virtually on 17 December 2021 by the Hon Dan Tehan MP, former Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment and the Rt Hon Anne-Marie Trevelyan MP, Secretary of State for International Trade.
Following signature, consistent with Australia’s treaty making process, A-UKFTA was tabled in both of Australia’s Houses of Federal Parliament, with a National Interest Analysis and Regulatory Impact Statement (RIS) to illustrate the benefits to Australia from the FTA. These documents were considered by the Joint Standing Committee on Treaties (JSCOT).
On 17 November 2022, JSCOT handed down Report 201: Free Trade Agreement between Australia and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. The report stated that the Committee supported the agreement and recommended that binding treaty action be taken. On 22 November 2022, A-UKFTA passed Australian Parliament.
On 4 May, Australia provided its diplomatic note to the UK in London which confirmed that domestic procedures had been completed. The UK followed, providing its notification of completion on 30 May 2023 in Canberra. It was agreed by both Parties that the agreement would enter into force on 31 May 2023.
To follow developments on A-UKFTA, see Australia-UK FTA news.