Labor shamed into Show Grants backflip

Shadow Minister for Agriculture, Peter Walsh

Victoria’s show societies will get a 2015-16 grants round after all thanks to the Liberal-Nationals Coalition.
Show societies had told local Nationals and Liberal MPs that the 2015-16 round of Agricultural and Pastoral Society Grants had not opened as scheduled last year.
With the financial year’s end just weeks away, show societies feared the program had been quietly axed by the Andrews Labor Government.
Some societies are also still waiting on final payments for 2014-15 grants which had been announced in October 2014.

Quotes from Peter Walsh, Leader of The Nationals and Shadow Minister for Agriculture:
“We grilled the Agriculture Minister about the missing grants at a Parliamentary Budget Hearing last Friday, and Ms Pulford denied the program had been axed.
“Less than an hour later, an email went out to show societies saying the Department were “currently preparing to launch the 2015-16 Agricultural and Pastoral Society Grant Program.” It also confirmed the 2014-15 grant payments were still being finalised.
“It’s disappointing Minister Pulford had to be shamed into offering these grants but it is better late than never, and I encourage Victoria’s show societies to start work on their next funding bids.
“Our show societies might be small in the eyes of the Andrews Government, but they play a vital role in our communities and we value them highly.”
Media contact: Deborah Cole 0409 252 217 deborah.cole@opposition.vic.gov.au