LETTER TO THE EDITOR – SPRING SHOW SEASON

Dear Editor,

Spring has been a busy time in my office as we attend Agricultural Shows and Field days across the electorate.

Many of these important community events have been paused over the last couple of years as pandemic restrictions impacted their viability.

In fact, over 700 shows and field days have been cancelled across the country since the COVID-19 pandemic.

This year is the first time since 2019 that I’ve had a full show roster and it’s been fantastic to be back at these events.

The Coalition Government supported Agricultural Shows and Field Days through the pandemic with a funding program called, ‘Supporting Agricultural Shows and Field Days’.

Without this funding support, many agricultural and horticultural or show societies simply would not have survived through the years of lost income incurred from cancelled events.

Over $500,000 has been awarded to organisations across the electorate through that funding program.

It’s thanks to this Federal Government initiative that these events have been able to return post COVID.

These events bring our families and farmers together, build community spirit and help bridge the divide between metropolitan and regional Australians.

I join with the community in welcoming them back and I commend the hard work and dedication of the volunteers who do such an amazing job in organising these important events.

Tony Pasin MP

Federal Member for Barker