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Emergency Services | September 27, 2024

CFA volunteers punished with fire tax increase

Lowan residents are being hit with massive tax bills on their rates notices due to the Allan Labor Government’s unfair Fire Services Levy.

The levy, paid by all Victorian landowners, was hiked significantly by Labor in the 2024-25 State Budget, which will see Victorians pay about $186 million more in taxes than in previous years.

Deputy Leader of The Nationals and Member for Lowan, Emma Kealy, said regional property owners – many of whom are volunteer firefighters – were facing significantly larger bills since the increase took effect.

“We owe our CFA volunteers more than gratitude; we owe them the resources to do their job safely and effectively,” she said.

“Instead of hiking taxes, this government should be investing in the men and women who stand between us and disaster.

“My office has had many calls from residents about the significant increase in their levy, with some paying up to 90 per cent more than previous years.

“This comes on top of the already massive rise in land tax that these same residents are struggling to manage.

“Despite this steep tax hike, our CFA brigades will likely see little to no benefit before the fire season—very little of the money raised is going back into the critical volunteer service that protects our communities.”

Ms Kealy said the cash grab on residents was made even harder to comprehend when the state government had decreased the levy payable by large international companies that owned renewable energy projects in Victoria.

“These massive international companies, which contribute little to the regional communities they disrupt, are receiving unjust benefits from this government, while local property owners shoulder the burden – it’s absolutely wrong,” she said.

“It’s completely unacceptable that these corporations get a free pass, while our local farmers and homeowners are hit with outrageous costs.

“The Allan Labor Government can’t manage money, can’t manage our emergency services, and our communities are paying the price.”