TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwan’s role as a diesel supplier gives it growing importance in Australia’s energy security planning, Australian lawmaker Dan Tehan said during a visit to Taipei.
Tehan, Australia’s shadow minister for energy and emissions reduction, arrived in Taiwan along with Senator Carol Brown, with the pair heading a delegation visiting the country from April 27 to May 2, per CNA.
Tehan said Australia still depends on liquid fuels such as diesel, and Taiwan is one of the countries helping meet that need. He said the relationship runs both ways, as Taiwan buys large amounts of liquefied natural gas from Australia.
The delegation’s visit comes as energy security has become a sharper concern for governments across the region. Tehan said disruptions linked to the Iran war had shown why supply chains and shipping routes cannot be taken for granted, according to the report.
He said Australia values freedom of navigation, particularly in the Indo-Pacific, because open sea lanes support trade and cooperation between economies. Restrictions around the Strait of Hormuz, he said, had already brought about economic harm beyond the Middle East.
Tehan said Taiwan and Australia should keep talking about energy, rare earths, and critical minerals, especially where processing takes place, per the report. He added the delegation had discussed these issues with Taiwanese ministries and lawmakers.
Brown said the visit, which falls under the framework of the Australian Parliament’s Taiwan friendship group, is intended to strengthen ties and give Australian lawmakers a fuller understanding of issues that matter to Taiwan.
On Taiwan’s bid to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership, Brown said that Australia welcomes interest in the trade bloc. She added that delegation members would be able to seek support for Taiwan’s application after returning home.
