A visiting Australian lawmaker yesterday said the energy partnership between Australia and Taiwan is vital to both economies amid growing concerns over regional stability.
“We are trusted commercial partners,” Australian Member of Parliament Dan Tehan of the Liberal Party said in an interview, pointing to strong trade in key energy supplies.
Taiwan relies heavily on Australian liquefied natural gas, with government data showing Australia supplies about 30 percent of its imports, along with a significant volume of coal.
Photo: CNA
At the same time, Taiwan is Australia’s fourth-largest source of diesel, accounting for about 12 percent of imports, and is a major supplier of aviation fuel.
Tehan, who is coleading a seven-member cross-party parliamentary delegation visiting Taiwan this week, said the relationship is key to both economies.
“Our mining, agricultural and fishing industries would not function without diesel,” he said.
Photo: CNA
The delegation’s visit to Taiwan comes as energy security remains tumultuous across the Indo-Pacific, with Australian Minister of Foreign Affairs Penny Wong (黃英賢) traveling in the region this week for talks on supply disruptions linked to war in the Middle East.
Such disruptions underscore the need for stable energy partnerships, including with Taiwan, Tehan said.
He also mentioned the importance of freedom of navigation, saying that open sea lanes are essential for global trade and energy flows.
“Allowing passage through the waterways of the Indo-Pacific is how we enhance trade, cooperation, and ensure people across economies benefit from free, fair and open trade,” he said.
Wartime disruption at the Strait of Hormuz has highlighted the global impact of restricted maritime trade, he added.
The Australian delegation, coled by Senator Carol Brown of the Labor Party, is visiting Taiwan from Monday to Saturday for meetings with Taiwanese officials and lawmakers.
The delegation includes Senator Anne Ruston, deputy leader of the opposition in the Senate, senators Helen Polley and Josh Dolega, and parliamentarians Jason Wood and Leon Rebello.
Brown said the visit aims to strengthen bilateral ties.
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