Andrews announces free entry for kids to the Melbourne Show

The Premier has dropped a Royal Show announcement that will be welcome news to many Victorian families struggling with soaring cost of living pressures. Take our poll on the issue.

Jasmine, Florence and Andre Foretti with show bags. Picture: Jay Town

All kids will be able to attend this year’s Royal Melbourne Show for free.

Daniel Andrews on Thursday morning revealed that kids - aged under 14 - will get free entry.

“Bit of news,” the Premier wrote on social media.

“The Melbourne Royal Show is back - and this year kids will go free.”

This year’s event will begin on Thursday September 22 and will end on Sunday October 2.

The move is expected to be a welcome boost to many Victorian families struggling with soaring cost of living pressures.

It comes just days after the Victorian Farmers Federation livestock president called for animals to be kept off this year’s agenda due to the threat of the food-and-mouth disease.

Mr Andrews said the offer would help families to ensure their kids got to attend a “really magical event”.

“I think the show is going to be just terrific this year,” he said.

The state government has committed $3.5 million towards wiping the cost of free entry for kids, which will apply at more than 100 rural and regional shows across Victoria.

The funding will be provided directly to Agricultural and Pastoral Societies hosting show’s this year to defray the cost.

Presented by The Royal Agricultural Society of Victoria, the annual show contributes $244 million to Victoria’s economy each year.

In previous years, it has attracted up to 460,000 visitors.

Melbourne Royal Chief Executive Officer Brad Jenkins said the 2022 show will be a “celebration like no other for Victorians, with family fun and farm experiences by day and a feast of fabulous food, entertainment and live music by night”.

Agriculture Minister Gayle Tierney said it was great to have the Melbourne Royal Show secured back on the events calendar.

“Agricultural shows are a fixture of Australian society and the Melbourne Royal Show is an institution,” she said.

Ms Tierney confirmed that Agriculture Victoria is working with show organisers to ensure biosecurity measures are in place amid the threat of foot-and-mouth disease.