Media Release | 2 July 2025
Lachlan Hunter MLA
Shadow Minister for Agriculture and Food
The Cook Labor Government has scrapped free entry for children to the 2025 Perth Royal Show, turning its back on WA families and walking away from one of the state’s most important agricultural and cultural events.
It was confirmed during Budget Estimates today that there is no allocation in the Budget for free tickets, despite the initiative being a vital cost-of-living measure for families and a key driver of attendance.
Shadow Minister for Agriculture and Food, Lachlan Hunter MP, said the decision was a slap in the face to the agricultural community and a blow to families who rely on the Show to connect with regional WA.
“The Perth Royal Show is more than just a day out – it’s a celebration of WA’s farming heritage and one of the few remaining bridges between city families and country life,” Mr Hunter said.
“Scrapping free entry for kids shows just how little the Cook Labor Government understands, or values, the importance of agriculture and rural connection in this state.”
The Royal Show is one of Western Australia’s longest running and most significant community events, with a proud history dating back to 1834. It attracts around 350,000 people each year, offering city families the chance to engage with livestock, local producers, and the agricultural traditions that underpin the state’s economy.
“Labor says it cares about cost-of-living pressures, but it’s cut one of the few initiatives that gave families affordable access to the Show,” Mr Hunter said.
“Meanwhile, they’ve still found $217 million for a new racetrack in Burswood that no one asked for. When it comes to priorities, this Government is all show and no substance.”
The Opposition is calling on the Cook Labor Government to reinstate free entry for children and stop treating agriculture and regional WA as an afterthought.
The 2025 Perth Royal Show will be held from 27 September to 4 October at the Claremont Showgrounds.
ENDS
