Prior to the cancellation of this weekend’s P&A Show, Bourke would have been one of many host towns to regional shows across Australia where the popular rides along sideshow alley will stop for a 15 minute period, with the Showman's Guild protesting an unviable rise in insurance costs. 

Known as a ‘Ride-Stop’, ride operators and owners are attempting to highlight the catastrophic consequences of the rising cost of public liability insurance, which has grown by 300 per cent in the last twelve months. 

On Saturday 14 May, people attending shows across the country will see the 15 minute ride-stop at midday, where the show will essentially grind to a halt, a bleak statement from the industry known as Australia’s fun-makers of what could happen to AgShows without reprieve.

President of the Australasian Showmen’s Guild (ASG), Aaron Pink said that the rising cost of public liability threatens more than just regional shows, but entertainment across the board, including trampoline parks, go kart tracks, ice rinks, bowling alleys and theme parks.

“It’s a huge industry employing more than 7,000 people and contributing $1.84 billion to the economy annually that will be killed off if these insurance rises aren’t addressed and some support offered,” Mr Pink said.

Until last week, the Federal Government had been working alongside the ASG and other peak industry bodies to report into the proposed solution and make a recommendation. 

On the other side, insurance groups are also asking the government for support to offset the climbing costs of public liability payouts. 

The solution put forward was a Discretionary Mutual Fund, with the report finding that ‘the clear and present danger is real’ for the struggling entertainment industry. 

Australian Amusement Leisure and Recreation Association (AALARA) President Shane McGrath said that despite jumping through every hoop, the recent budget didn’t deliver any investment to help.

Our insurance costs have gone up by an astronomical 300% in just twelve months which is totally unmanageable for our members, some unable to achieve any insurance,” Mr McGrath said.

“We’re talking about a lot of Ma and Pa operators who have struggled through Covid with mass cancellation of fairs, shows and attractions, as well as bushfires and floods,” he said.

The rejection of the report’s solution was termed a ‘renege on promised support’ from the Government.

“If we can’t gain support this will mean the end of the line for thousands of people who work in our industry. And this will trickle down into the community,” Mr McGrath said.

“The Government will effectively kill the fun for everyone if they don’t step up to help us find a solution. We all feel like they’ve taken us all for a ride,” he said.