November 14, 2022
National Party leader David Littleproud has slammed a Federal Government decision to “reprioritise” funding from a Coalition-established program which helped agricultural shows.
He said Agriculture Minister Murray Watt had confirmed the government was scrapping the Agriculture Shows Development Grants Program.
“This was money to improve infrastructure for ag shows,” Mr Littleproud said.
He said $14 million funding would have been on top of $20 million provided by the previous Federal Government in 2020 which aided 122 shows.
This funding was used to build pavilions and exhibition areas, install seating, shade and weather protection, upgrade accessibility, improve public safety and animal welfare, and upgrade power and energy efficiency.
The Cooyar Show was one of the previous beneficiaries of the funding program.
“Ag shows generate a huge $1 billion annually in economic benefits, promoting new technologies and high-quality produce,” Mr Littleproud said.
“For some communities and charities, agriculture shows are the financial boost they need to get them through the year.”
In April this year – just ahead of the Federal Election – Mr Littleproud urged Show Societies to apply for a second round of the program.
