Federal Government unwilling to back AALARA's call for an industry Discretionary Mutual Fund

The Australian Amusement, Leisure and Recreation Association (AALARA) has reported that its request to the Federal Government to financially support the creation of an industry-owned Discretionary Mutual Fund (DMF) for the attractions industry has been unsuccessful.

In a communication to members, the Association today advised “the Federal Government has handed down their final decision that they are not willing to provide funding to support our industry DMF.

“This decision was met with absolute disbelief from AALARA and well placed key stakeholders in Canberra that have been working alongside us on this journey.”

With a range of industry operators including travelling shows, carnival ride and inflatable play operators, theme parks, waterparks, trampoline arenas, amusement attractions and adventure tourism operators having been facing increasing difficulty in securing public liability insurance in recent years, AALARA, backed by its members, has been advocating a DMF as a solution.

Its approach was endorsed by a comprehensive review undertaken by the Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman (ASBFEO), Bruce Billson in which he supported the establishment of an industry-owned DMF as the most durable and secure pathway forward for the industry.

As AALARA explains the ASBFEO's The Show Must Go On report made it “clear that the DMF is the best long term solution for the survival of travelling shows, attractions, leisure and tourism operators.”

While disappointed by the Federal Government’s response, the Association advises that it “will be pushing forward to gain support from all corners of politics, media and key stakeholders”, asking members to raise awareness of this issue and to lobby local MPs and other governmental contacts.

In November last year the Federal Government also rejected recommendations from a Senate committee inquiry that called for a national insurance guarantee to protect events cancelled by COVID-19 restrictions.

Letter sent to the Prime Minister of Australia, Scott Morrison and every Minister and Senator of the governing coalition outlining once again the urgency and need to establish the DMF.