STATEMENTS BY SENATORS

Senator BROCKMAN (Western Australia—Deputy President and Chair of Committees) (13:32): I rise today to talk about regional shows in Western Australia. It was my absolute pleasure over the last couple of weeks to attend the Beverley Agricultural Show in Beverley and the York Show in York. These are both small country towns about an hour and 45 minutes outside of Perth.

They're both grain growing and sheep farming areas. It's an absolute credit to those local communities to see these country shows not only supporting their local communities but thriving, growing and attracting new audiences every year to remind people that our food and our fibre don't miraculously appear out of thin air. It takes farmers and a strong agricultural sector to make sure that we have food on our plates and clothes on our shoulders.

Not only does it take a strong agricultural sector but it also takes strong, thriving country towns. These towns have been under so much pressure by not only the growth of technology but also the demographic changes that have occurred in the bush. So many towns are under pressure.

Country shows are a way for the communities to come together to support each other and showcase the great local things that these towns have on offer. To the organising committees of both the York and Beverley country shows, who are volunteers, I say thank you from the bottom of my heart. It's a great opportunity to get out into the bush to meet so many hundreds and thousands of people and to be part of these great regional events.