Tony Abbott keen to contribute ‘expertise’ to UK trade role

Tony Abbott has mentioned he’s wanting ahead to contributing his “experience” in world commerce to his new role as a trade adviser to the UK authorities.

The previous Australian PM was appointed to the unpaid role on Friday, regardless of criticism over his previous feedback on girls, LGBT folks and local weather change.

Mr Abbott, who led Australia from 2013-15, posted on Twitter that he was “solely too keen” to assist the UK.

However Labour mentioned he ought to have been disqualified from the role.

Mr Abbott will advise the brand new Board of Trade, arrange to assist ministers and encourage companies to do extra enterprise internationally, however won’t be concerned in post-Brexit talks between the UK and different nations.

His appointment has drawn criticism from opposition events and equality activists, including Sir Ian McKellen and Doctor Who writer Russell T Davies, who mentioned his previous feedback meant he was not “match” for the role.

The previous Australian PM opposed same-sex marriage in Australia’s 2017 referendum and has been accused of constructing homophobic and misogynistic feedback previously.

He has additionally described the thought of local weather change as “faddish”, and final 12 months claimed the world was “within the grip of a local weather cult”.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson mentioned he did “not agree with these sentiments”, however rejected options he was unsuitable for the role.

In a statement on Twitter, Mr Abbott mentioned: “A UK-Australia trade deal, maximising the motion of products, companies and other people is clearly in the most effective pursuits of each our nations.

“It is essential for the broader world that Britain take advantage of its post-Brexit alternatives and I’m proud to be enjoying a component.

“My authorities finalised trade offers between Australia and China, Japan and Korea. I am wanting ahead to bringing that experience to bear as Britain works in the direction of mutually-beneficial enhancements with its main buying and selling companions.”

‘Historical past of offensive statements’

However Labour shadow trade secretary Emily Thornberry instructed Radio 4’s Right this moment programme Mr Abbott ought to have been disqualified from the role.

She mentioned: “First is his historical past of offensive statements in the direction of girls, LGBT folks, minority teams – the checklist is so lengthy and so despicable that I feel it speaks to his character and his values, and I do not assume that is a personality we must always have representing Britain world wide.

“However secondly, I simply do not assume that he is the precise individual to advise Britain on its trade coverage.

“He was by no means concerned in detailed trade negotiations. There have been many individuals who did the spade work, and he turned up and signed them. And he thinks that points like local weather change and staff’ rights aren’t essential.”

Alexander Downer, a former Australian excessive commissioner to the UK, rejected options his ally Mr Abbott was a misogynist.

He instructed Right this moment: “He’s not a misogynist, he has appointed many ladies to positions – he was appointed to this place by a lady.

“I do not assume it stacks up, I feel it is simply get together politicking.”

Mr Downer added that the “large” trade offers achieved whereas Mr Abbott was PM had been a “outstanding achievement”.

‘Difficult voices’

Different advisers to the Board of Trade will embody former Labour well being secretary Patricia Hewitt, ex-Conservative Member of the European Parliament Daniel Hannan and Anne Boden, founding father of the online-only financial institution Starling.

Ms Boden tweeted that she was “happy” to be advising the Board of Trade, and that it was “essential” to have “difficult voices” talking to ministers.

However the monetary expertise knowledgeable added that she supported range and “so did this girl”, linking to a 2012 speech by one other former Australian prime minister, Julia Gillard, by which she accused Mr Abbott of being a misogynist within the Australian parliament.

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The UK is presently wanting to agree its personal trade agreements for the primary time in additional than 40 years after leaving the European Union in January.

It’s conducting negotiations with the US, Japan, New Zealand and Australia.

The Board of Trade will meet 4 occasions a 12 months.

The Division for Worldwide Trade has harassed that advisers to the board can have “no direct role in putting trade offers”.

Trade Secretary Liz Truss mentioned: “The brand new Board of Trade will play an essential role in serving to Britain make the case without spending a dime and truthful trade throughout the UK and world wide.”