6 February 2009

Queensland’s Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Tourism, Regional Development and Industry, Ms Jan Jarratt MP, visited the Centre for Native Floriculture at the Gatton Campus on Friday, January 30.

Ms Jarratt toured The University of Queensland’s Plant Nursery Unit, with Postgraduate student, Ms Robyn Cave, focusing on the recently built climate controlled research greenhouse.

Ms Cave spoke to Ms Jarratt of the research she is able to conduct to help develop new native ornamental plant products that may become part of the “Outback Princess” range of native plants sold by Aussie Colours Ltd.

After a morning of hearing about and seeing for herself the successful outcomes from collaboration between government, industry and university research, Ms Jarratt said she was impressed with the opportunities it could provide.

"I am truly fascinated by what I have seen and heard today. It is a great partnership based in the field of biotechnology," Ms Jarratt said.

"Aussie Colours is a great Queensland-based company emerging from local research, which will ultimately underpin strength in the industry."

"Developing our smart industries will be a key plank in surviving and even benefiting during the global economic downturn as it offers an opportunity to diversify and create jobs."

Ms Jarratt discussed future prospects for the Centre for Native Floriculture with the Executive Dean of the Faculty of Natural Resources, Agriculture and Veterinary Science, Professor Roger Swift; the Director of the CNF, Professor Daryl Joyce; the Director of Aussie Colours, Mr Brian Ruddle, and a number of staff and student researchers directly involved in developing new native ornamental plant products.

The Centre for Native Floriculture was established by The University of Queensland with support from the Queensland Department of Tourism, Regional Development and Industry.

The Aussie Colours company was set up to commercialize new products developed through the Centre for Native Floriculture as well as other Australian organizations and individuals.

Ptilotus nobilis 'Outback Princess' is the initial plant line in a broad range of attractive native plants that Centre for Native Floriculture researchers are currently developing.

Since Aussie Colours was launched in September 2007 along with the release of 'Outback Princess', more than 60,000 plants of their drought-hardy 'Passion', 'Poise' and 'Purity' cultivars have been sold.