Government announces $39M ag show support package
Funding to help farm shows get back on their feetThe agricultural field days scene in Australia has been all but decimated in 2020, with almost every single event cancelled for the year due to COVID-19 restrictions.
In recognition of the importance of field days to local communities, the Federal Government has announced a support package totalling $39 million towards helping field days organisers and their communities get back on their feet.
The package was first announced in June, with a $2.7 million top up announced in recent weeks.
“Agricultural shows are part of the fabric of regional Australia, showcasing everything positive about our communities and local industries,” said Deputy Prime Minister, Michael McCormack.
“These shows are estimated to contribute $1 billion to the economy each year and attract 6 million patrons annually, supported by 50,000 volunteers.
“They create social bonds and improve mental health in parts of regional Australia where distance, drought, bushfires and now COVID-19 have caused significant hardship and distress.”
Federal Agriculture Minister, David Littleproud, said the Supporting Agricultural Shows program will provide a one-off reimbursement to agricultural show societies to deal with cash flow pressures caused by COVID-19 related cancellation of agricultural shows.
“This funding supports not only the big Royal Shows in each capital but right down to the small country show, because we acknowledge the role shows play in connecting agriculture and regional Australia to metropolitan Australians,” Littleproud said.
“There is a real risk that if we don’t help that not only could Royal Shows cease to function the way they are now, but also those small shows all of which are run by volunteers could fold.”
Chair of Agricultural Shows Australia, Dr Rob Wilson, welcomed the Government’s announcement of the $39 million package.
“Both Agricultural Shows and field days deliver significant benefits to regional communities across Australia supporting and showcase agricultural endeavours—and the Government’s support package will help Agricultural Shows and field days recover from the impacts of COVID-19,” he said.
The $39 million package is provided under the $1 billion Relief and Recovery Fund announced earlier this year as part of the Morrison Government’s COVID-19 economic support package.
Some key details of the ag show support package include:
- Field Days could be eligible to claim reimbursement costs including bank fees, utilities, rates, insurance, fire alarms and equipment, cleaning supplies, telecommunications, IT system licensing costs, website costs, state/national show body affiliation fees and rent.
- Shows will be able to claim up to $10,000 if their attendance last year was less than 2,000, up to $15,000 if their attendance was between 2,000 and 4,999 and up to $70,000 if their attendance was over 5,000.
- Royal Agricultural Show societies can additionally claim for unrecoverable costs associated with preparing for the cancelled show.
For more information and to apply, visit the Supporting Ag Shows page.
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