Alexander Downer

Opening the e-passport gates to Australians is a smart move

The announcement in this week’s Budget that Australians (as well as those from the US, Canada, Japan and New Zealand) will have access to e-passport gates when entering the UK is a welcome sign that Britain is serious about going global. The million or so Australians who visit each year are sure to be delighted by this gesture.  

There’s a backstory here: when I was the Australian high commissioner in London, I told everyone in government with ears to hear (including the then-home secretary Theresa May) that Australians were upset about being subjected to long queues at Heathrow while EU citizens went through a special fast-track process. Frankly, given our history of fighting alongside Britain and our shared head of state, it was downright insensitive.

In fact, as foreign minister of Australia, I had introduced the e-gate system at our airports back home. We didn’t question for a minute that these systems would be open to British visitors – yet when the UK upgraded to e-passport systems it chose not to reciprocate. Instead the best offer available was a registered traveller’s scheme costing seventy pounds a year. 

But from next year that will all change, as all Australian passport holders get fast-track treatment at Heathrow airport. It might sound a small thing but the symbolism and the convenience of this initiative is important: it makes Australian visitors feel that there is something special in our countries’ relationship.

This decision sends a strong signal of intent for Brexit and the UK’s determination to strengthen its relations with countries across the world. And where better to start than Australia? For all the geo-political, technical and demographic changes of the last half century, there are no two countries that can trust each other more than Australia and Great Britain.

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