Western Australian Government supports events industry with safety nets

The Western Australian Government is providing a $4 million boost for the Royal Agricultural Society of Western Australia to hold the 2021 Perth Royal Show. while also expanding its successful ‘Getting the Show Back on the Road’ program to include tourism events and regional agricultural shows.’

The funding commitment for the 2021 Perth Royal Show will assist Royal Agricultural Society of Western Australia (RASWA) to recover from the ongoing impacts of COVID-19, which resulted in the show being cancelled in 2020, while investing in measures to ensure a COVIDSafe event.

The package includes an upfront cash injection to stage the Royal Show from 25th September to 2nd October, as well as an underwriting facility to offset the cost of holding the event.

As part of the package, ticket prices will be reduced by 25% to encourage Western Australians to attend the Perth Royal Show.

The Western Australian Government’s ‘Getting the Show Back on the Road’  which was originally created to support the continuation of live performance and touring activity, will now support a broader range of public ticketed events when there is a negative impact due to COVID-19 restrictions.

The Getting the Show Back on the Road program enables event organisers to apply for up to 75% of lost ticketing revenue, up to a maximum of $150,000, when events are unable to take place due to COVID-19 restrictions.

Since it was introduced, the program has received over 140 applications and provided more than $4.1 million in shared-risk support to impacted events.

Applications for the expanded program open in July 2021 and are open until 31st March, 2022.

This initiative follows the State Government’s work to secure Truffle Kerfuffle, which will proceed this weekend in Manjimup.

Remaining COVID-19 capacity and gathering limits for venues and events are also set to end tomorrow (23rd June) as WA transitions to Phase 5 restrictions.

Western Australian Premier Mark McGowan notes “The events industry plays such an important role in our community, supporting local jobs, the arts and our economy.

“Alongside our transition to Phase 5 restrictions, this support package will help our events industry to get back to business by providing a safety net for a wider range of events if a COVID-19 outbreak causes them to be cancelled.

“I’d encourage Western Australians to visit this year’s Royal Show for an enjoyable day out with family and friends and to support the businesses and industry sectors recovering from the impacts of COVID-19.”

Western Australian Agriculture and Food Minister Alannah MacTiernan added “The Perth Royal Show plays such an important role in bringing the city and the country together, celebrating our farmers and how important our primary industries are to WA.

“It provides a unique opportunity for visitors to see, touch, taste, smell and hear more about the diversity and quality of Western Australian produce all in one place, while supporting the local businesses, performers and volunteer groups that make the event possible.”

Western Australian Tourism Minister David Templeman also commented “Getting the Show Back on the Road will provide more certainty to more kinds of events in what are still considered uncertain times.

“It’s so important that these shows and events remain on the calendar, to stimulate our economy in regional and metropolitan areas across WA, and support local tourism.”

Image courtesy of perthroyalshow.com.au/