Members of the Shura Council of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia have visited Australia as part of an official visit program.

Led by the Speaker of the Council, His Excellency Dr Abdullah bin Mohammed Al-Sheikh, the delegation met with the Governor-General Sir Peter Cosgrove, Foreign Minister Julie Bishop, Trade and Investment Minister Andrew Robb, Senate President Stephen Parry and House of Representatives Speaker Tony Smith, as well as members of the Australia-West Asia Parliamentary Network. Discussion focused on trade and investment links and security issues in the Middle East.

The delegation also travelled to Sydney and Melbourne, where they visited the NSW Parliament and were guests at a luncheon hosted by the Australian Arab Chamber of Commerce and Industry. They were welcomed to the Victorian Parliament by President of the Legislative Council Bruce Atkinson and Speaker of the Legislative Assembly Telmo Languiller, and unveiled a plaque at the recently opened Islamic Museum of Australia.

With a population of around 27 million and nearly 20 per cent of the world’s conventional oil reserves, Saudi Arabia is the Middle East’s largest economy.

As Australia's second largest market in the Middle East, Saudi Arabia is an important trading partner for Australia.

In 2014, the total two-way merchandise and services trade totalled more than $3 billion.

Members of the Shura Council of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia meet with Senate President Stephen Parry and House of Representatives Speaker Tony Smith.