Alice Springs Show dealt blow with sudden cancellation

The decision to cancel the show was taken out of the hands of the Central Australian Show Society on Monday night, after the Australian chief medical officer Paul Kelly informed the committee it would not go ahead because of public safety.

Show society president Murray MacLeod reacted to the sudden cancellation with "shock" and committed to "soul searching" to find a solution to get a show up and running next year.

"Up until last night, we were having a show," he said.

"We were still selling tickets and the community were still on board. But we have to abide by the direction from the government and they pulled the pin on it. It has caused heartache."

Mr MacLeod was flocked with traders cancelling on the weekend, after state borders were slammed shut.

"We will be refunding all ticket sales and trader fees," he said.

"We cannot reschedule because there are too many stakeholders involved from across the country and with the opening and closing of borders without much notice, it is too difficult to navigate and make decisions."

The annual Alice Springs Show begins the NT show circuit, with Tennant Creek, Katherine and Darwin shows planned for the coming weeks.

Mr MacLeod said this week's cancellation could have a flow-on effect that may make it impossible for traders and the show community to continue at other events in the NT.

With the society's major fundraising event of the year cancelled, Mr MacLeod said it would approach the government for financial support.

"Last year we had access to JobKeeper, but this time is very different, the support is not there yet," he said.

"Since the show has been cancelled so close to the event, we have put a lot of money into setting up and we cannot get that refunded."

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