A cross-party group of Australian federal lawmakers visiting Taipei pushed for deeper trade, energy and critical-minerals cooperation — a positive signal for both economies and a pointed message to Beijing.

• Peace and stability are the two pillars of economic growth, not just for Taiwan and Australia but worldwide, says Senate Deputy President Slade Brockman.
• The two economies fit together: Australia ships minerals, energy and farm goods to Taiwan, Taiwan ships high-tech products back, and critical minerals are the next frontier.
• Energy flows both ways — Australia is a top supplier of liquefied gas to Taiwan, while Taiwan is Australia's fourth-largest source of diesel and supplied refined oil during the Middle East fuel crunch.
• Freedom of navigation underpins that trade, and both sides are raising defence spending on a "peace through strength" logic.
• China's mix of inducements and pressure on Pacific island states — Solomon Islands and Nauru switching recognition, threats exposed by Palau — makes cooperation among like-minded democracies necessary.

Outlook: Australia's foreign ministry is weighing Taiwan's proposal for a representative office in Perth, with AI-driven power demand and a possible Perth–Taipei direct flight cited as reasons to expand ties.