Federal Agriculture Minister David Littleproud has defended the application process required for agricultural shows and field days to access grants designed to ease the impact of the coronavirus.
Mr Littleproud announced the $20 million Regional Agricultural Shows Develoment Grants program and the $34 million Supporting Agricultural Shows and Fields Days Program earlier this year, inviting show societies hit hard by COVID-19 restrictions to apply for a slice of the cash.
"The application processes were designed with the needs of show societies in mind while using taxpayers money," Mr Littleproud said.
"The fact that 447 applications were received for our agricultural show infrastructure grants suggests that most show societies did not find the application process to be a barrier.
"All of our ag shows and field days support programs have been a resounding success and I received very positive feedback from show societies.
"I believe we have struck the right balance between providing accountability to taxpayers while delivering the assistance that communities need."
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The deputy Nationals leader's comments come after Tamworth Show Society president Greg Townsend criticised the red tape involved in applying for funding as "ridiculous".
"I understand the government's need to ensure taxpayer money is being spent appropriately, but honestly, the amount of red tape involved with applying for funding is ridiculous," Mr Townsend said.
"It is so complicated that it makes you question whether you'd be better off trying to raise funds another way."
Tamworth Show Society was successful in gaining a $25,000 grant under the scheme which Mr Townsend said would be "most welcome".
"Don't get me wrong, we are very grateful for any funding we get from the government, but I just think the process could be made so much easier, especially for volunteer-run committees like ours," he said.
NSW Agricultural Societies Council president Tim Capp said support was available for groups applying for funding.
"I personally think the state and federal governments have done a great job of helping show societies through this tough period," Mr Capp said.
"In saying that, I can understand the frustration because there is always going to be red tape attached to government funding.
"The government has a responsibility to ensure the funds are spent in the best way possible and personally, I think that is understandable.
"The ASC does have resources available to those societies that need a hand applying for funds and there are private companies that do it too, so there is help out there."
Bowral is set to be the first show to return after the pandemic on January 9-10, 2021.
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Billy Jupp
Billy is a Senior Livestock Journalist for the Queensland Country Life based in Toowoomba. He has worked for a variety of different ACM mastheads during the past five years including the Namoi Valley Independent, Northern Daily Leader and The Land.
Billy is a Senior Livestock Journalist for the Queensland Country Life based in Toowoomba. He has worked for a variety of different ACM mastheads during the past five years including the Namoi Valley Independent, Northern Daily Leader and The Land.
