Senator the Hon Mathias Cormann

JAMIE OWEN: Minister, you’re an experienced international money man, a finance minister, what’s your advice tonight as Britain leaves the European Union?

MATHIAS CORMANN: Look, these are obviously matters for people in the United Kingdom to continue to work through. From an Australian point of view we have always fully respected that this is a matter for the people of Great Britain and we are very confident that the UK will have a bright and fantastic future.

JAMIE OWEN: How easy is it going to be? I mean, you’ve negotiated trade deals. You’ve represented your country in financial matters. You have great financial experience on these matters. How easy is it going to be to negotiate these new trade deals? How quickly does it happen? How quickly is it going to happen?

MATHIAS CORMANN: I can only speak for Australia. Certainly Australia is very committed to conclude a high quality trade agreement with the United Kingdom very swiftly. With good will, there is a lot that can be achieved. We obviously have a very strong political, strategic and economic relationship with Great Britain. We are very much looking forward to concluding a trade agreement very, very swiftly.

JAMIE OWEN: How long is that?

MATHIAS CORMANN: I am not going to put a specific timeframe on it, but I do believe it can be done very, very quickly. There is a very good relationship, obviously with a long history. I can’t foresee that this will take all that long.

JAMIE OWEN: Do you understand why ordinary people in Britain have walked away from the EU? As a politician, do you understand Brexit?

MATHIAS CORMANN: I am not a commentator on democratic decisions in the United Kingdom. I fully respect that this is a matter for the people of Great Britain. A decision is made, a made decision is a good decision. Onwards and upwards and our very best wishes for a bright and strong future.

JAMIE OWEN: Minister, thank you very much.