Cripps makes trip to UQ

MEETING OF MINDS: Member for Lockyer Ian Rickuss, Shadow Minister for Agriculture, Food and Regional Queensland Andrew Cripps and Dr Martin Pearson (super attendant of the UQ Veterinary Clinic).

LNP Shadow Minister for Agriculture, Food and Regional Queensland Andrew Cripps made a special visit to the University of Queensland's Gatton Campus last week.

Joined by Member for Lockyer Ian Rickuss, Mr Cripps was taken to the UQ veterinary school to inspect facilities available to students which included an informative tour through the Small Animal Hospital and the range of innovative equine services on site.

Mr Cripps was impressed with the tour and said the facilities were vital in the education and teaching of students into the Australian workforce.

"It's extremely important and a credit to the team here at UQ that they've been able to establish these state of the art facilities," Mr Cripps said.

"Veterinary science is a critical skill and for it to be practiced on animals is important.

"It's important and by the result of work at UQ it benefits professionals not only in animal welfare but economic outcomes for animal health for Queensland too.

"This is the first time I've had the opportunity to come look at the veterinary school and I'm glad I have.

"The standard of the facility is testified by staff and students and it improves the quality of teaching and education for students."

Mr Cripps also met with stakeholders in Toowoomba to discuss concerns surrounding the decline of departmental services to farmers.