Trade (Australia and New Zealand) (Parliamentary Approval) Bill

Key Points

• Parliamentary approval: the UK's free trade agreements with Australia and New Zealand must be approved by resolutions in both Houses before implementation.
• Origin and sponsor: introduced in the Commons by Sarah Green (Liberal Democrat).
• Recent support in Commons: the Second Reading and Third Reading votes recorded large majorities (309-56 and 294-46).
• Opposition from some parties: Liberal Democrats, SNP and Plaid Cymru opposed; other groups had mixed or abstention positions.
• Next steps: after Commons, the bill would proceed to the Lords for consideration.

Progress

The bill is currently at its 1st reading in the House of Commons and will move through the normal stages (2nd and 3rd readings, potential committee stage) before any final approval.

Voting

In the two recorded divisions, the bill passed by large margins: Second Reading 309 Aye, 56 No; Third Reading 294 Aye, 46 No. The Conservatives, Reform UK and the DUP voted in favour, while Liberal Democrats, SNP and Plaid Cymru voted against in these divisions.