Discussions with Olympic and Paralympic organisers centred on collaboration opportunities in the sports economy appear on the agenda for the UK trade envoy's week-long visit.

A meeting is also planned with Queensland Treasurer Cameron Dick, plus attendance at the AusRail conference and visits to an Australian Air Force base and a maintenance facility run by arms manufacturer BAE Systems.

"This is an exciting time to be back on the ground in Australia, meeting fantastic people and companies working to promote trade and investment between Australia and the UK," Lord Botham said.

"There are so many opportunities here - from sports economy to defence- and I’m delighted to be continuing my work to boost British business across Australia."

Best known for being one of England's greatest all-rounders when he was simply Ian Botham, the 67-year-old was appointed a UK trade envoy to Australia last year by former Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

An International Cricket Council (ICC) Hall of Fame inductee, Lord Botham was elevated to that title in 2020 and acts as a cross-bench peer, although had been a prominent supporter of the campaign for the UK to leave the European Union.

Lord Botham is also well-known for charity fundraising - particularly through walks - as well as a number of high-profile spats with fellow cricketers.

Australia is due to host the Olympic Games for the third time in 2032, after Sydney 2000 and Melbourne 1956.

It will be Australia's second time staging the Paralympic Games.

Queensland, the state Brisbane is capital of, has never hosted either multi-sport event but did hold the 1982 and 2018 Commonwealth Games.

The ICC is lobbying for cricket to be included on the Olympic programme from Los Angeles 2028.