Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers

Published Thursday, 07 September, 2017 at 09:58 AM

Premier and Minister for the Arts
The Honourable Annastacia Palaszczuk

Next weekend (16 September), I will have the privilege of officially opening the Carnival of Flowers in Toowoomba. 

This will be the 68th Carnival of Flowers, which has become one of Queensland’s most successful and iconic events. 

The Carnival showcases Toowoomba – the Garden City and one of Australia’s great inland cities. 

The Carnival attracts almost 200,000 people. 

I am proud that my Government through Tourism and Events Queensland is supporting the Carnival of Flowers and we have locked in support for the event this year, 2018 and 2019. 

TEQ held a forum for the region’s tourism operators last week (30 August).

Tourism in the Southern Queensland Country region, which incorporates Toowoomba, the Darling Downs and the Granite Belt, is growing strongly. 

There has been more than an 11 per cent increase in overnight visitor expenditure in recent years to a record high of $773 million. 

I am proud to be attending and opening the Carnival, as my father (then Primary Industries Minister Henry Palaszczuk) did in 2002 – 15 years ago. 

I am advised the dress instructions have not changed – florals, hats and spring colours. 

Henry took the dress instructions to another level – he was challenged by a local radio announcer to wear a brighter floral outfit.

I have been challenged by much-admired ABC Toowoomba presenter Belinda Sanders to wear a brighter floral dress than her at the Carnival. 

I can meet that challenge.