Concern over Abbott conflict of interest

C o n c e r n s o f p o t e n t i a l conflicts of interest have been raised following the a p p o i n t m e n t o f f o r m e r Australian prime minister Tony Abbott to a role at the UK Board of Trade.

Australia’s shadow attorney general Mark Dreyfus said Mr Abb ott’s knowl - edge of the ruling Liberal party and Australian government could present an issue in trade discussions.

He said: “It’s up to the government to explain how conflicts arising from Mr Abbott’s intimate knowledge of Australia’s trading i n t e r e s t s a n d s t r a t e g i e s will be managed.”