Royal, country shows put out a call for federal funding assistance due to COVID-19
Many of the state’s country shows, along with the Royal Adelaide Show, have been cancelled because of the coronavirus – now they’re asking for help.
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Royal and country shows are pleading for a $42.67 million federal government rescue package to ensure their viability into the future.
In South Australia, 12 country shows have been cancelled this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, along with the Royal Adelaide Show in September.
SA Country Shows president Francis Andrews said organisers of the remaining shows scheduled for 2020 were thinking “very seriously” about cancelling.
“They just don’t know if they’re going to being able to get people together and get a decent crowd,” he said.
“Most of these shows survive on sponsorship from local businesses, and if these country towns are doing it tough, show societies are also doing it tough.”
Royal Agricultural & Horticultural Society of SA chief executive John Rothwell said the loss of events had seen the society lose the vast majority its income.
“We’re a not-for-profit, so our surplus goes back into capital works,” he said.
“We usually make an annual surplus of $2.5m – this year we’re looking at a loss of $3m.”
The peak body representing royal and country shows across Australia is calling on the federal government to invest in a support package to ensure the survival of the events.
Agricultural Shows Australia estimates shows contribute about $1 billion to the national economy, a figure Mr Rothwell believes is conservative, as the SA society alone contributes $317m to the state’s economy each year.
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The recovery package proposed by Agricultural Shows Australia comprises three components; up to $30 million for capital city royal shows, up to $12.175m for state affiliated agricultural societies and $500,000 in operational support for the ASA across two years.
Agricultural Shows Australia chairman Dr Rob Wilson said agricultural shows have been an integral part of rural communities for more than a century, and the show societies needed support to cover ongoing fixed costs, such as utilities and insurance.
Federal Agriculture Minister David Littleproud was contacted for comment.