The Nationals and Liberals will scrap the Allan Labor Government’s cruel Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund that seeks to rip $765 million a year from hard-working Victorians.
The parties made the announcement on the steps of Parliament House this week, where Member for Lowan and Deputy Leader of The Nationals, Emma Kealy, and Nationals and Liberals MPs rallied alongside thousands of Victorians to protest the new tax, due to take effect in July.
Labor’s fund, which has been widely condemned across the state, will impact anyone who pays rates, with charges for some property owners likely to increase by up to 150 per cent.
Ms Kealy said it was incredible to stand with hundreds of people from the local area, many of them CFA volunteers, to make a stand.
“It is absolutely reprehensible that Labor would use the hard-earned money of our local people – especially those who voluntarily risk their lives to protect others during emergencies – to pay for its own financial mismanagement and spiralling debt,” she said.
“What’s worse is that Labor is hitting people with this tax during a cost-of-living crisis, and when farmers are battling drought with next to no government support. It is just cruel.
“The Nationals and Liberals have committed to scrapping this tax and returning to the simpler, fairer Fire Services Property Levy, a model that funds fire services transparently, without punishing homeowners, renters, farmers and volunteers.
“We will also ensure the SES has the funding it needs to support our communities.”
Ms Kealy said Tuesday’s rally made it overwhelmingly clear that communities rejected Labor’s heartless cash grab.
“I sincerely thank John Bennett of Kaniva, Pat Millear of Willaura and Jo Armstrong and Rob Armstrong of Ararat for passionately sharing their stories at the rally, and Andrew Weidemann of Rupanyup for his leadership in organising the protest and helping Victorians raise their voices on this issue,” she said.
“I also thank the incredible emergency services volunteers for the amazing work they do and for standing strong in their communities.
“We will continue to stand side by side with them and our communities.”
Ms Kealy encouraged anyone who hadn’t already to sign The Nationals’ Scrap The Tax petition at scrapthetax.com.au