Truss said she was the most regular visitor to Australia’s official residence in London Stoke Lodge,as a result of the “difficult” negotiations she had thrashed out over breakfasts,dinners,Australian wine and even karaoke with Australia’s high commissioner to the UK George Brandis.
“My first interaction with Australia,like many people my age,was watchingNeighbours on television and of course the great romance between Kylie and Jason,” she said,referring to the show’s lovebirds Charlene and Scott.
“But I think the UK and Australia are even closer than that,” Truss told the room to applause.
Truss also said thetrade deal she struck when trade secretary was Britain’s “first from scratch post-Brexit” and “probably the best”.
“There’s been some difficult breakfasts,there’s been some difficult dinners,there’s been some difficult late-night drinks,there’s been some very dubious karaoke,” she revealed.
“Too much information,” Brandis intervened.
Truss,also the equalities minister,then invited the crowd to attend Manchester’s premier gay club Cruz 101,where the pair would later deliver a speech. Brandis was instrumental in securing gay marriage in Australia before his retirement as attorney-general.