Horticulture Showcase a Leafy Success

Parliament House was pumped full of positive oxygen and energy on Tuesday 6 March as Nursery & Garden Industry Victoria’s horticultural showcase was rolled out to Members of Parliament.

Parliament House looked amazing, an avenue of trees popped up on the first steps, which proved a popular photo opportunity for visitors. Inside the building, the Federation Room was transformed into a vibrant garden, or what was remarked to NGIV’s CEO Craig Taberner on numerous occasions by politicians; "Where is this Urban Forest?  I’ve heard all about it."

NGIV representatives shared information on our supply chain, starting with prorogation, the nursery, linking into the technology, manufacturing processes, and benefits to society, and the resulting end consumer, which attracted significant interest from individual Members of Parliament.

Deputy Premier of Victoria, the Hon. James Merlino MP, officially opened the showcase and praised our great industry, with corresponding remarks from Leader of the Nationals, the Hon. Peter Walsh MP.   Glenn Fenton provided the raw facts and figures as to why Victoria is the Australian leader in Horticulture, with a sector worth more than $1.6 billion and directly employing more than 11,000 people.

Later in the day, our Stakeholder Minister for Agriculture the Hon. Jaala Pulford MLC, was provided a personal tour of the showcase by Craig Taberner.

NGIV President Paul Boland summed up the day as follows:

“It was a great day and a first step towards a more proactive interaction with our representatives and decision makers. I was really impressed with how engaged the individual Members of Parliament were and their level of knowledge about our industry, the benefits of green space and their commitment to continue its expansion for Victoria. “