Chilean delegation with the Speaker, President of the Senate and Members of Parliament

At the invitation of the Presiding Officers, the Australian Parliament welcomed a delegation from the lower house of the National Congress of Chile in October. The delegation was led by the Hon Mario Venegas Cárdenas - the Second Vice President of the Chamber of Deputies.

As part of their visit, which included time in Canberra, Sydney, Melbourne and Shepparton, the delegation visited Australia’s Parliament House to meet with parliamentarians and officials. They participated in meetings with members of both the government and opposition to discuss issues of common interest, including indigenous affairs, education and international trade. The delegation were also hosted at an official lunch by the Hon Tony Smith MP, Speaker of the House of Representatives, and Senator the Hon Scott Ryan, President of the Senate and met with members of the Australia – Chile parliamentary friendship group.

At Parliament House in Canberra, the Chilean delegation held a particularly positive and fruitful discussion on Australia’s Higher Education Loan Programme (HELP) with experts—including Professor Bruce Chapman of the Australian National University, the primary architect of the Higher Education Contribution Scheme (HECS).  

The delegation visited a variety of places while in Australia, deepening their knowledge of the country and its people, and providing the opportunity for parliamentarians of both countries to strengthen an already solid relationship.