Additional funding has been granted to show societies and independent traders, with 700 events forced to cancel since the start of the pandemic.
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$25 million has been allocated to agricultural shows and field days to help them "bounce back", with many event organisers left with no other choice but to cancel for a second year due to the recent Delta outbreak.
The latest round of funding follows the allocation of $34.5 million in 2020, with $351,221 delivered to 22 committees across the Riverina and Central West during the first year of the pandemic.
Minister for Agriculture David Littleproud said that shows and field days have continued to struggle covering costs, announcing that the additional funding will be made available soon.
"Our show societies and field day organisers have incurred significant financial losses for two consecutive years," he said.
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The package will be divided with $21 million allocated to support agricultural shows and field days, and $4 million to benefit travelling showmen and women.
"Our travelling showmen and women, who are often small, independent, sole-traders or family-based operations, have been particularly hard hit," Mr Littleproud said.
He is also encouraging state and territory governments to provide support on top of the commonwealth's contributions.
Riverina MP Michael McCormack said the federal government will continue to back shows and help committees until they are back on their feet.
"Last year, we delivered $351,221 to 22 Riverina and Central West show societies to get them through what we hoped was a one-off crisis, but as the pandemic ended plans for a return of shows this year, there is a need for a second round of support," he said.
"Show committees right throughout the Riverina and Central West have had to make the heart-breaking decision again this year to cancel their shows because of COVID, but they still have fixed and unavoidable costs which, without income from the shows happening, can be tough to pay."
Wagga Show president Robert Hamilton said he is happy that politicians have acknowledged the importance show and field days have across communities.
"I think it's good that the government recognises the importance of the showmen movement by helping our show societies," he said.
The Wagga Show announced it's cancellation earlier this month due to prolonged COVID restrictions across the state.
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