A parliamentary delegation from Peru has participated in the Latin America Down Under Conference as part of an official visit to Australia.

The MPs attended the Sydney conference to better understand how Australia is working to enhance its relationships with Latin American countries, particularly through strong partnerships emerging in the mining sector.

Led by the President of the Peru-Australia Parliamentary Friendship League, Mr Carlos Bruce Montes de Oca, the delegation also visited Canberra where MPs met House of Representatives Speaker Bronwyn Bishop and Deputy President of the Senate Stephen Parry.

A roundtable discussion with the chairs and deputy chairs of Australian parliamentary committees provided the opportunity to exchange views on a number of issues confronting the parliaments of both countries.

In Melbourne, the delegation met with representatives of the Australian Electoral Commission, Public Transport Victoria and Spanish ship building firm, Navantia.

Navantia is building two vessels in a joint venture with the Royal Australian Navy and the Peruvian Navy is interested in exploring similar opportunities in Peru.

Discussions with Public Transport Victoria focused on the efficiency of Melbourne’s transport system, compared to what the delegation described as Lima’s “chaotic” system and its need for improvement.