The McGowan Government is backing in WA’s events industry, today announcing a major package for the 2021 Perth Royal Show and expanded support for public ticketed events.
The Perth Royal Show will return in 2021, with the State Government providing a $4 million boost for the Royal Agricultural Society of Western Australia (RASWA) to hold the State’s premier family event.
The funding commitment will assist 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 COVID-safe event.
The package includes an upfront cash injection to stage the Royal Show from September 25 to October 2, as well as an underwriting facility to offset the cost of holding the event.
As part of the package, ticket prices will be slashed by 25 per cent to encourage Western Australians to attend the Perth Royal Show.
The McGowan Government will also expand its successful Getting the Show Back on the Road program to include tourism events and regional agricultural shows.
Originally created to support the continuation of live performance and touring activity, the program 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 per cent 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 March 31, 2022.
This initiative follows the McGowan 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 (June 23) as WA transitions to Phase 5 restrictions.
As stated by Premier Mark McGowan:
“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.”
As stated by Agriculture and Food Minister Alannah MacTiernan:
“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.”
As stated by Tourism Minister David Templeman:
“Events drive visitation, add vibrancy to local communities and attract media attention, which helps to promote and position our State as an exciting destination to live and visit.
“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.”
