Farmer dismay as primary producer registration extended to show ride operators

Ferris wheel, merry-go-round and sideshow alley operators are to gain the status of “primary producers”.

Carnival ride operators can now get cheaper registration after the Andrews Government classified them as primary producers. Picture: Jason Edwards

CARNIVAL ride and sideshow operators have been classified as primary producers under Victoria’s road regulations, giving them access to thousands of dollars in registration and stamp duty concessions on their vehicles.

Roads Minister Ben Carroll signed off on amendments to the Road Safety (Vehicles) Interim Regulations this week, allowing 300 members of the Victorian Showmen’s Guild to be defined as primary producers to gain discounts of up to 50 per cent on their cars, light trucks and prime movers.

Guild executive officer Justine Sinclair said members were excited to get the discount and hoped other states would follow Victoria’s lead.

When asked why show operators should be defined as primary producers, Ms Sinclair said the guild “just followed the lead that VicRoads and Ben Carroll offered”.

“We travel Australia-wide to ag shows, supporting townships and contributing rent worth $20 million to agricultural societies nationally.

Up until now the definition of a primary producer under the regulations was a person “engaged solely or substantially in agricultural, horticultural, viticultural, dairying, pastoral or other like activities; or who is the holder of a licence under the Fisheries Act 1995 to take fish for sale”.

The initial reaction from farmers was shock, with fears the value of their primary producer concession could be eroded if offered to those beyond the farm gate.

Quambatook grain grower Brett Hosking said it was a “bizarre move by government”.

“It devalues the category for those carrying out agriculture and it misrepresents the service these people (showmen) offer in bringing people together to celebrate,” Mr Hosking said.

“The wellbeing of our communities is really important, but they should have created a separate category for these people.”

Victorian Farmers Federation grains group president Ashley Fraser said defining sideshow operators as primary producers undermined the credibility of the scheme and the Government.

“You really have to wonder,” Mr Fraser said. “If they want to give these people a discount then create a separate category”.

A spokeswoman for Mr Carroll said members of the Victorian Showmen’s Guild “contributed a lot to our state and like many other industries they’ve been hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic

“For the next six months, we’ve broadened the definition of primary producers to include guild members — giving them access to discounts on vehicle fees to help them get back up and running.

“Using the primary producers category was the quickest and most efficient way to support this industry and will not diminish the benefit enjoyed by other members of the primary producer community.”