James Skinner
James is the Founder & Chief Executive of
CANZUK International in Vancouver, Canada
Members of the House of Lords have completed their third and final reading of the UK’s Trade (Australia and New Zealand) Bill.
The Bill is legislation that allows the United Kingdom to ratify and implement free trade agreements with Australia and New Zealand, and acts as a stepping stone towards future CANZUK-orientated trade and mobility arrangements.
Once the free trade agreements with Australia and New Zealand take effect, they will have a number of benefits for businesses and citizens across the UK. For example, the agreements are expected to boost the UK economy by approximately £2.3 billion from the Australia FTA and £800 million from the New Zealand FTA. The agreements will also eliminate tariffs on UK exports to Australia and New Zealand, including cars, chocolate, Scotch whisky, and fashion, as well as buses, excavators, and ships.
Once the free trade agreements with Australia and New Zealand take effect, they will have a number of benefits for businesses and citizens across the UK. For example, the agreements are expected to boost the UK economy by approximately £2.3 billion from the Australia FTA and £800 million from the New Zealand FTA. The agreements will also eliminate tariffs on UK exports to Australia and New Zealand, including cars, chocolate, Scotch whisky, and fashion, as well as buses, excavators, and ships.
Additionally – and most importantly for the CANZUK campaign – the agreements will make it easier for British citizens to live, travel, and work in Australia and New Zealand. This includes provisions for extending the age-limit of working visas from 30 to 35, and removing the requirement to undertake “regional work” (commonly participated as three months of farm or rural work) to qualify for visa extensions in Australia.
The Bill has progressed through the final stage of the House of Lords, and will now enter the “Consideration of Amendments” stage.
At this stage (when a Bill has passed through third readings in both Houses) it is returned to the first House (Commons) for any amendments made by the second House (Lords) to be considered.
When the exact wording has been agreed by the Commons and the Lords, the Bill is ready for royal assent. Once a Bill receives royal assent, it is made an Act of Parliament. In this case, the proposals for greater visa access and trade between the UK, and Australia and New Zealand, will become law.
CANZUK International welcomes the progress made by the UK Parliament on this important and landmark Bill, and will continue to monitor the proceedings as they happen and update accordingly.
The Bill has progressed through the final stage of the House of Lords, and will now enter the “Consideration of Amendments” stage.
At this stage (when a Bill has passed through third readings in both Houses) it is returned to the first House (Commons) for any amendments made by the second House (Lords) to be considered.
When the exact wording has been agreed by the Commons and the Lords, the Bill is ready for royal assent. Once a Bill receives royal assent, it is made an Act of Parliament. In this case, the proposals for greater visa access and trade between the UK, and Australia and New Zealand, will become law.
CANZUK International welcomes the progress made by the UK Parliament on this important and landmark Bill, and will continue to monitor the proceedings as they happen and update accordingly.
Heading photo: House of Lords 2019 / Photography by Roger Harris
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