Australian leader cuts flower spending

June 01, 2011

Australia's Governor General, Quentin Bryce, was criticized earlier this year for spending more than $100,000 on flowers in the two-and-a-half years she's been in office.

The Sunday Telegraph reported that Bryce's office spends an average of $800 each week and $42,000 each year of taxpayer money on floral arrangements for the dining table, hallway and mantelpiece at her two properties, Government House in Canberra and Admiralty House in Sydney.

That amount, according to The Age, is about 25 percent less than she spent on fresh flowers during her first year in office.

Flowers commonly used in the bouquets include roses, lilies, sweet peas and white orchids.

Administration insiders told the Sydney Morning Herald that the flowers are displayed in public rooms and have been enjoyed by more than 102,000 visitors.

"Visitors at these historic properties expect to see flowers as part of the presentation of the official residences," Bryce's secretary Stephen Brady told the news provider.

Floral experts say that choosing locally-grown and in-season blooms can help to cut down on costs of flower arrangements, bouquets and baskets.
In addition to curbing her spending on fresh flowers, administration officials say spending on dry cleaning, food and drink will be cut.

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