Prime Minister Andy Burnham has agreed to discuss changes to the UK-Australia free trade deal after Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese raised concerns about the growing numbers of British working holidaymakers entering Australia and their impact on the country's labour market.
Mr Albanese is seeking changes to the rules that exempt UK nationals from Australian regional work requirements imposed on those from other countries. The two leaders met for bilateral talks at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (Chogm) on Tuesday.
Talks at Chogm
Speaking ahead of the meeting, Mr Burnham was asked whether he would do a deal after concerns were raised by his Australian counterpart. Mr Burnham confirmed the pair would be having a conversation about the issue, adding "we'll see".
Last week, Mr Albanese indicated he would use the meeting to push for changes to the historic UK-Australia free trade deal struck under former prime minister Boris Johnson. The deal was the first major trade agreement signed by the UK after Brexit and was hailed at the time as "a new dawn" for Britain.
Political reaction
Former Prime Minister Liz Truss commented: "This was a major achievement of our trade deal with Australia and hard-fought! Young Brits no longer have to do farm work as part of their stay in Australia - bringing big opportunities for them. Typical that Andy Burnham wants to give this away. Is there nothing this man won't betray or surrender?"
Mr Albanese, whose disapproval has hit an almost record high of 56%, is desperate to win Australians back over from the popular right-wing party One Nation that has proposed tough immigration reforms.
Albanese's concerns
Mr Albanese told the Australian parliament: "Unlike backpackers from other areas of the world, who have to spend time in regional Australia, those UK backpackers are arriving in very large numbers, much greater than they were previously to that arrangement being in place," "They are staying at Bondi Beach or Coogee or around particularly the capital cities and working in hospitality there. That's placing enormous pressure because it's distorting the labour market in these areas as well."
