CANBERRA, Jan. 17 (Xinhua) -- Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison has reassured voters that his government is prepared for a range of Brexit options.
Speaking after Britain's House of Commons on Tuesday night voted against British Prime Minister Theresa May's deal to leave the European Union (EU), Morrison on Thursday attempted to calm his own constituents amid the chaos.
"We have been working assiduously now for several years since the Brexit vote to ensure that we are addressing our market access - our market access now, in terms of the EU, which still includes the UK, but also envisage how we engage in a post-Brexit world," he told reporters on Thursday.
"The circumstances of that are unclear. Australians should feel reassured that a safe and steady pair of hands has been managing what is a very uncertain and unstable set of arrangements.
"The direct economic impact on Australia, I know from my days as Treasurer, is limited. But it does highlight the impacts of global uncertainty in the economy."
May's defeat on Tuesday has left Brexit at a point of uncertainty, with the British prime minister either facing tough negotiations with the EU on a new deal or headed for a no-deal Brexit, a scenario experts think would have devastating consequences for Britain.
However, conservative members of Morrison's governing Liberal-National Party coalition (LNP) have backed calls for a no-deal Brexit.
"In the seeming chaos, there are obvious and very tangible opportunities for Australia to re-engage with fresh eyes with the United Kingdom," Senator Dean Smith said, arguing that a no-deal exit from the EU would see Britain rush to forge new economic deals.
"The need for the UK to reassert itself economically will be a powerful motivator to cementing durable trade links."
