Parliamentary Networks and Country Groups

The Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) is the largest international organisation of national parliaments and a focal point for worldwide parliamentary dialogue.

At the commencement of a new parliament, Australian federal parliamentarians are invited to join the Australian National Group (ANG) of the IPU.

As part of membership to the IPU, parliamentarians are also invited to join regional networks and country groups.

Parliamentary networks and country groups foster relationships with foreign parliaments around the world through engagement with their parliamentarians as well as members of the diplomatic community. This work is integral to our overall international engagement.

The Australian Parliament maintains 11 regional networks. These groupings are devised from the United Nations composition of macro-geographical (continental) regions. Networks cover all countries within their region – not solely countries which achieve an individual country group.

Where a country group has 20 or more members, it forms in its own right and a Chair and Deputy Chair are appointed, and the group is listed below. 

PARLIAMENTARY NETWORKS AND INDIVIDUAL COUNTRY GROUPS WILL BE OUTLINED BELOW ONCE ESTABLISHED AFTER THE OPENING OF THE 48TH PARLIAMENT.

Bangladesh
Chair: Hon Tim Watts MP
Vice Chair: Senator Dean Smith

Bhutan
Chair: Mr David Smith MP
Vice Chair: Senator Dean Smith 

Canada

Chair: Luke Gosling OAM MP
Vice Chair: Julian Leeser MP

Cuba 
Chair: Sharon Claydon MP
Vice Chair:
 
Denmark
Chair: Alison Byrnes MP
Vice Chair: Angie Bell MP

Estonia
Chair: Senator Deborah O'Neill
Vice Chair:

European Parliament
Chair: Senator Raffaele Ciccone
Vice Chair: Zoe McKenzie MP

France
Chair: Jerome Laxale MP
Vice Chair: Zoe McKenzie MP

Germany 
Chair: Tania Lawrence MP
Vice Chair: Zoe McKenzie MP

Greece
Chair: Steve Georganas MP
Vice Chair:

Holy See
Chair: Senator Raffaele Ciccone
Vice Chair:

India
Chair: Hon Dr Andrew Charlton MP
Vice Chair: Julian Leeser MP

Indonesia
Chair: Hon Tim Watts MP
Vice Chair: Senator the Hon Richard Colbeck

Ireland
Chair: Senator Deborah O'Neill
Vice Chair: Senator Wendy Askew 

Israel
Chair: Senator Deborah O'Neill
Vice Chair:

Italy
Chair: Senator Raffaele Ciccone
Vice Chair: Aaron Violi MP

Japan
Chair: David Smith MP
Vice Chair: Senator Slade Brockman 

Korea, Republic of
Chair: Jerome Laxale MP
Vice Chair: 

Latvia
Chair: Senator Deborah O'Neill
Vice Chair:

Lithuania
Chair: Senator Deborah O'Neill
Vice Chair:

Malaysia 
Chair: Sam Lim MP
Vice Chair:

Myanmar
Chair:
Vice Chair: Senator Dean Smith 

Netherlands 
Chair: Sharon Claydon MP
Vice Chair:

New Zealand 
Chair: Sharon Claydon MP
Vice Chair:

Norway
Chair: Cassandra Fernando MP
Vice Chair:

Qatar
Chair: Cassandra Fernando MP
Vice Chair:

Republic of North Macedonia
Chair: Cassandra Fernando MP
Vice Chair:

Pacific Island Nations
Chair: Joanne Ryan MP
Vice Chair: Senator Jessica Collins

Philippines
Chair: Luke Gosling OAM MP
Vice Chair:

Poland 
Chair: Sharon Claydon MP
Vice Chair:

Singapore
Chair: Hon Julian Hill MP
Vice Chair: Hon Michelle Landry MP

Slovenia
Chair: Carina Garland MP
Vice Chair:

Sri Lanka
Chair: Cassandra Fernando MP
Vice Chair: Senator Wendy Askew 

Sweden
Chair: Cassandra Fernando MP
Vice Chair: Senator Wendy Askew 

Switzerland
Chair: Senator Raffaele Ciccone
Vice Chair: Senator Wendy Askew 

Thailand
Chair: Luke Gosling OAM MP
Vice Chair:

Timor-Leste 
Chair: Sharon Claydon MP
Vice Chair: Senator Wendy Askew

Türkiye 
Chair: Rob Mitchell MP
Vice Chair:

Ukraine
Chair: Senator Deborah O'Neill
Vice Chair:

United Arab Emirates
Chair: Senator Raffaele Ciccone
Vice Chair: Senator Andrew McLachlan

United Kingdom
Chair: David Smith MP
Vice Chair: Senator Dean Smith

United States of America
Chair: Dr Gordon Reid MP
Vice Chair: 

Uruguay 
Chair: Steve Georganas MP
Vice Chair: Senator Andrew McLachlan 

Vietnam 
Chair: Sharon Claydon MP
Vice Chair: Senator Hon Richard Colbeck