Creation of the National Biosecurity Centre

The Vice-Chancellor of La Trobe University, Professor Michael Osborne, has welcomed the announcement by the Victorian government that funding has been dedicated to commence establishment of the National Biosecurity Centre in Victoria.

Researchers from La Trobe University working in plant and animal sciences already collaborate most productively with their colleagues in the Victorian Department of Primary Industries. In recognition of this success, the university has encouraged the department to enter into further collaborations at its Melbourne (Bundoora) campus.

Professor Osborne was pleased that the expertise which exists in the Biological Sciences at La Trobe University has been ascknowledged. The choice of La Trobe as a partner in the development involving the Victorian Department of Primary Industries is a clear indication of the capacity of the university to contribute to critical research and development directed at enhancing and protecting the plant and animal industries so vital to Australia.

With the involvement of other research organisations such as CSIRO in the National Biosecurity Centre, it will quickly esatblish itself as one of Australia's premier science facilities.