Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said there will be a big impact on the global economy if Britain votes to leave the European Union, ABC news reported.

"It would be a very big shock, there is no doubt about that. ... There will be obviously be great efforts to ensure that the consequences of that shock are minimized," Turnbull told reporters.

Foreign Minister Julie Bishop told reporters it is in Australia's "national interest for a strong Britain, an indispensable friend and ally of ours, to remain within the European Union."

Polls have opened in Britain for a referendum on whether the country should quit the European Union bloc it joined 43 years ago. 

More than 46 million people are registered to vote in Thursday's plebiscite, which asks: "Should the United Kingdom remain a member of the European Union or leave the European Union?"

Polls are open until 10 p.m. (2100GMT), with results due early Friday.

Source : MENA