Australian Speaker of the House of Representatives Milton Dick has highly appreciated the contributions of the Bangladeshi community in Australia to Australian society and the economy.

The visiting Australian parliamentary delegation, led by the Speaker, met with State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam at the National Parliament House on Thursday.

The visit marks the first-ever visit by an Australian Speaker to Bangladesh in the 125-year history of the Australian Parliament, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

During the meeting, the Australian Speaker noted that Australia was among the first few countries to recognize Bangladesh following its independence.

Congratulating Bangladesh on holding a recent free, fair, and peaceful election, he emphasised the importance of strengthening parliamentary democracy across the world.

State Minister Shama Obaed highlighted the importance of greater participation of women in Parliament.

She thanked Australia for continued support for the Rohingyas sheltered in Bangladesh.

Both sides underscored the need for enhanced connectivity, exchanges, and the sharing of experiences between the two parliaments.

They stressed on introducing inter parliamentary programs among the parliamentarians of the two countries.

They also discussed the possible impact of the ongoing war in the Middle East, particularly in relation to an acute fuel supply crisis.

The Australian Parliamentary delegation also met Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad Bir Bikram in the Parliament.

The delegation had a tour of the Parliament Building and observed the Parliament proceedings.

They paid tribute to the grave of Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman and Late Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia.

They also visited the July Memorial Museum and met civil society representatives during the visit.