Event Review: Showcase of German Business in Australian Parliament

The German-Australian Chamber of Industry and Commerce (AHK Australien), together with a delegation of senior executives from its member companies, travelled to Canberra at the end of 2025 to showcase German innovation and expertise. Almost 30 companies from the German-Australian business network exhibited at Mural Hall in Parliament House on Wednesday, 25 November, and welcomed many members of parliament and their staff to the showcase.

The inaugural Parliamentary Showcase "German Business Meets Parliament" saw many interested Members of Parliament engaging with the stalls of almost 30 exhibitors: AVILUS, BASF, Bauerfeind Australia, Bayer, Boehringer Ingelheim, CO2CRC, Deutsche Schule Melbourne in collaboration with German International School Sydney, Goethe-Institut, Hatz Diesel, Hicron, Homag, Mercedes-Benz Australia, Merck, PGS Mid-West Green Iron in collaboration with thyssenkrupp nucera, thyssenkrupp, SMS Group and KfW IPEX Bank, SAP Australia, Siemens Energy, Siemens Mobility, Stiebel Eltron, Swinburne University of Technology in collaboration with University of Bayreuth, Wilkhahn, and Wilo.

Tania Lawrence MP and Zoe McKenzie MP took to the stage as representatives of the Australia-Germany Parliamentary Friendship Group and, together with exhibitors and all attendees, underlined the importance of collaboration, the reliability of German partners, and the shared values between both countries and cultures. The Chair and Co-Chair of the Parliamentary Friendship Group stated a strong commitment to strengthening ties between the two countries and expressed hope for a successful Free Trade Agreement between the EU and Australia in the new year.

The Deputy Head of Mission of the German Federal Government in Australia, Sigrid Sommer, had invited exhibitors, government representatives and the broader bilateral network to an evening reception at the Ambassador's Residence the evening before the showcase, providing a platform for networking, collaboration and new connections. Ms Sommer also highlighted the importance of collaboration between the two countries and commended the efforts of all exhibitors at the inaugural Parliamentary Showcase organised by the German-Australian Chamber of Industry and Commerce.

Approximately 600 German companies operate on Australian shores, and with Germany being Australia's 10th largest importer outside Europe, collaboration not only on a business and project level but also with government support for industry and trade is both natural and essential.

Government relations were also a crucial part of the delegation's programme in Canberra on the day before the showcase. Roundtables with the European Union Delegation to Australia, the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, the Australian Institute of International Affairs, and the Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Hon Matt Thistlethwaite MP, set the tone for the combined trip to Australia's capital. All discussions highlighted the opportunities Australia offers to international and German companies, while also emphasising that the possibilities are far from exhausted.

As the German-Australian Chamber focuses on forging a path towards strong collaboration between industry and government, and between Germany and Australia, the inaugural Parliamentary Showcase proved a great success in forming new connections and strengthening existing ones.

The calibre of companies travelling to Canberra and exhibiting at Mural Hall highlighted the need for more opportunities to engage with government leaders and to put successful projects and collaborations in the spotlight. The values Germany and Australia share lay a perfect foundation on which to build and explore new ways to join forces for a sustainable future.

Accelerate Magazine – German-Australian Impact Through Trade, Industry and Collaboration

As part of the inaugural Parliamentary Showcase, the German-Australian Chamber of Industry and Commerce launched Accelerate Magazine, highlighting all exhibiting companies and beyond. The magazine covers various sectors, including:

• Mining and Resources: Whether lithium, graphite, or rare earth minerals – access to critical materials is increasingly determining innovative strength and competitiveness.
• Energy: Energy transition and net zero are topics that transcend national borders. Achieving the set targets requires strong, like-minded collaboration.
• Health and Life Sciences: High health spending, an ageing and affluent population, rising demand for health services, universal health coverage, and a highly educated workforce make Australia an important and promising market for healthcare companies.
• Construction and Infrastructure: The Australian construction sector is well known for its tireless work. Major projects such as Brisbane 2032 can only be realised with the expertise of key players in the field.

The magazine can be downloaded here.