Tony Pasin (Barker, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

The spring show season is well and truly underway in Barker. It's one of my favourite times of year. I take my electorate office out on the road and I set up with other stall holders. Over the break from this place, I took the opportunity to engage with constituents across the Loxton, Pinnaroo and Keith shows. Agricultural shows and field days bring communities closer together. They showcase the pinnacle and pride of local produce, which often spans generations. They are significant cultural and economic contributors to hundreds of communities across Barker and across the country—25 shows throughout my electorate alone.

Our government is supporting Australian agricultural shows with a $20 million investment to reinvigorate our showgrounds. Grants of up to $500,000 are available to upgrade, maintain, buy or build new showground infrastructure and attractions. This funding is in addition to $720,000 the coalition government is providing Agricultural Shows Australia to use the agricultural show network to promote the value and role of our farmers. It's vitally important that we support these events and, in turn, these communities. To the hundreds of volunteers involved in shows and field days across Barker, thank you for the time and effort you make toward your community and the contribution you are making to our nation. This contribution has never been more important.

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