Insurance woes: Sideshow operators say they’ve been taken for a ride

An inability to access affordable public liability insurance will see sideshow operators stage a protest at the Coffs Harbour Show on the weekend. Here’s why.

The Coffs Harbour Show will be ground zero in the public liability insurance crisis gripping the operators of amusement rides.

Operators say it is hard to even secure cover - while those who have a policy in place have watched premiums rise by as much as 300 per cent in the past 12 months.

The situation has hit tipping point - with a protest planned at the Coffs Show on Saturday, when ride operators will down tools for 15 minutes from midday.

“Quite a few operators have had to pull out of the Coffs Show,” campaign publicist Kylie Edwards said.

“Coffs will be the most impacted of any show nationally so far.”

The thrill of the big rides at the Coffs Harbour Show - but the industry claims it is being crippled by skyrocketing public insurance premiums.

Ms Edwards said amusement ride operators had been all but wiped out in the past two years as Covid stymied larger community events, such as agricultural shows.

2022 was to be the year the shows got back on the road - but while events are going ahead, sideshow alley has been hit for six by the public liability insurance pinchpoint.

“A lot of good people are going to go out of business,” Ms Edwards said.

The amusement industry is pressuring the federal government to underwrite a mutual fund so they can continue in business.

“And over time the insurance can be self-sustaining for the industry,” Ms Edwards said.

“It’s a huge industry employing more than 7000 people and contributing $1.84 billion to the economy annually that will be killed off if these insurance rises aren’t addressed and some support offered,” Australasian Showmen’s Guild president Aaron Pink said.

The Coffs Harbour Show will roar back from the Covid wilderness today and on the weekend - but an insurance stoush hangs over the operators of the popular amusements. Picture: Leigh Jensen / Coff Coast Advocate

The industry warns travelling show ride operators are not the only ones who will be impacted by the insurance squeeze.

Rising premiums will also hit owners of trampoline parks, go kart tracks, ice rinks, bowling alleys, family entertainment centres, theme parks and more.

Australian Amusement, Leisure and Recreation Association (AALARA) president Shane McGrath said without change the future was bleak.

“Our insurance costs have gone up by an astronomical 300 per cent in just 12 months which is totally unmanageable for our members, some unable to achieve any insurance,” Mr McGrath said.

“We’re talking about a lot of Ma and Pa operators who have struggled through Covid with mass cancellation of fairs, shows and attractions, as well as bushfires and floods.”

The solution put forward by the industry is for a discretionary mutual fund, as recommended by Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Bruce Billson.

“If we can’t gain support this will mean the end of the line for thousands of people who work in our industry. And this will trickle down into the community,” Mr McGrath said.

“Imagine the Royal Easter Show or Ekka, or the hundreds of country shows without a sideshow alley and rides? Or iconic amusement parks like Luna Park or all the hundreds of local bowling alleys and family entertainment centres having to close their doors?

“The government will effectively kill the fun for everyone if they don’t step up to help us find a solution.”

As sung by The Seekers, the industry argues unless there’s change, the carnival is over.