THE future of the state’s biggest regional agricultural show is in jeopardy if changes are not made to legislation proposing fixed term elections according to Agricultural Region MLC Jim Chown.
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Under the draft Electoral and Constitution Amendment Bill 2010, fixed term state elections would be held every four years on the second Saturday in the month of March.
This would mean voting would occur on the Saturday of the Wagin Woolorama.
“More than 30,000 people from across the state regularly attend Woolorama,” Mr Chown said.
“In addition to being the biggest agricultural show outside the metropolitan area, it also holds the State Sheep Show, which is the biggest sheep judging competition in WA, as well as the Woolorama Rodeo, which is becoming the state’s biggest rodeo contest.
“With more than 250 livestock exhibitors and more than 400 trade fair participants, the event contributes more than $200,000 annually to Wagin and surrounding communities and is a major financial boost to regional businesses.”
Mr Chown said if the proposed date was not changed, there could possibly be more than 16,000 eligible voters in Wagin on election day, which would be a logistical nightmare for the Wagin polling booth, which normally catered to about 2000 electors.
“Whether it is volunteering at polling booths, running the Parents' and Citizens' sausage sizzle, or assisting elderly voters, many West Australians, especially in the regional areas, are actively involved in their local community during an election,” he said.
“Therefore there is a strong possibility that patrons and exhibitors will choose to remain in their local community during a state election, creating a decline in attendance numbers.
“This would have a dramatic negative financial impact on the community of Wagin and surrounding shires who rely upon the injection of monies generated by this significant rural show.”
Mr Chown recently provided Premier Colin Barnett with a briefing on this issue and a proposal to move the fixed term date to the third Saturday in March.
“From a regional perspective, if the proposed date is not changed, it is the equivalent of having a state election on the final day of the Perth Royal Show or on the Australian Football League (AFL) grand final,” Mr Chown said.
“The Premier understands the importance of agricultural shows to regional West Australians and is a strong supporter of Woolarama having officially opened it over the past two years.
“I am confident the Premier will favourably consider my proposal to move the proposed date to the Saturday following Woolorama and look forward to hearing from him shortly on this matter.”
Wagin shire president Phillip Blight also gave his full support to shifting the date following a meeting with Mr Chown in Wagin this week.
“As Wagin shire president and as a local resident, I am very concerned about the impact that having an election on the same Saturday as Woolorama would have, not only on the families and businesses in Wagin, but on surrounding communities and farms,” Cr Blight said.
“For over a century, Wagin has hosted the most significant agricultural event in WA and in 2013, when the next state election is due to be held, we will be celebrating our 110th anniversary.
“It is in Wagin’s and regional WA’s best interests to move the date and ensure that everyone has the opportunity to enjoy Woolorama, without an election complicating matters.
“I am confident Mr Chown will be able to convince the Premier to amend the draft legislation and I will be ensuring that he has not only my full support, but the support of surrounding communities as well in this matter.”
