Agriculture shows have been forced to shut their gates with the State Labor Government refusing to address harsh mandates.
Member for Burnett Stephen Bennett said local show societies don’t have enough volunteers to police the double vaccine mandates.
“More than 95 percent of Bundaberg residents have received two doses of the vaccine, but the Premier is asking our not-for-profit volunteer-run show societies to man every gate at our local ag shows, day and night, to police her mandate,” he said.
“They simply cannot and will not be able to keep up, it’s not possible.
“The current mandate is not in keeping with the ruling placed on similar facilities such as sporting fields, ovals, speedways, and markets.
“Our local shows offer so much more than a stick of fairy floss and a ride on the Ferris Wheel.
“They are a place for people to come together, to support one another, for children to celebrate their crafts and their livestock, for makers and creators to showcase their work.
“Our shows are the regional hub for many of our small communities.
“Under this current mandate many of our shows won’t show up for 2022, it’s just not possible.
Mr Bennett asked a Question on Notice in Queensland Parliament last week requesting the mandate be reassessed. *
The Premier has until March 28 to provide an answer.
QLD Ag Shows Burnett Delegate Brianna Hockey said from the edge of the outback to the iconic Brisbane Royal, Queensland Shows have been celebrating agriculture and industry since 1822.
“In Queensland there are 128 Agricultural Show Societies run by more than 13,500 volunteers,” she said.
“They range from small local events with community populations of 300 or less, to large multi-day events such as the Ekka.
“On average though, the shows are small to medium sized which are run by volunteers who govern their independent associations known as Show Societies.
“In 2021 Qld Ag Shows were the only State Body in Australia and New Zealand to have a COVID Safe industry Plan for Shows approved.
“In 2021 116 of our 129 Shows were held, all of which ran COVID Safe events with outstanding reviews as many had Queensland Health Officers attend.
“Not one case of COVID was contracted as a result of attending an Agricultural Show in Queensland in 2021.
“The Current Queensland Heath Directive/Mandate is having a significant impact on Agricultural Shows due to the inconsistencies, anomalies and confusion of the information.
“Our concern is that we have different rules applying to different activities that are being applied to the same community of people for activities being conducted on the same grounds. Many of these activities are the same as what are delivered as a part of the Annual Agricultural Show.
“The Directive appears to be explicitly directed at the delivery of the annual Agricultural Show by placing restrictions on it that do not apply for the balance 360 days of the year or the other activities conducted on the Showgrounds.
“Why are Agricultural Shows being singled out from other industries like sporting activities, markets and Stadiums, when 116 Agricultural Shows proved in 2021 we were able to deliver COVID safe events?
“The current position of the Queensland Chief Health Office is dividing communities and the people who are bearing the brunt of the Directive are the volunteers of these not-for-profit associates who are left trying to explain the inconsistencies to increasingly irate community members.
“In Bundaberg, only last weekend, a private for profit company was able to operate an event with dodgem cars, mega slides, showbags and tea cup rides at the Bundaberg Recreational Precinct, which is the home of the Bundaberg Show, with no double vaccination entry requirements.
“This is a kick in the guts for Agricultural Shows and their volunteers who have volunteered their time towards not-for-profit associations to provide events for their communities in some instances for over a century.
“And the Boots are worn by the Queensland Government.”
* QON: https://documents.parliament.qld.gov.au/tableoffice/questionsanswers/2022/98-2022.pdf
ENDS.
28/02/2022