Victorians will this week learn whether they will be slapped with yet another new tax from the callous Allan Labor Government, as Parliament’s upper house again votes on the introduction of the Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund.
A bill to introduce the new $1.2-billion tax – of which $205 million will come from farmers – passed the Labor-dominated lower house of Parliament in April, but failed to pass the upper house. It will be debated again in the upper house this week.
Member for Lowan and Deputy Leader of The Nationals, Emma Kealy – who voted against the bill along with her Nationals and Liberals colleagues – said the tax would impact every ratepayer at a time when they were already struggling with cost-of-living pressures, and needed to be stopped.
“Lowan residents have contacted my office in droves to oppose this new tax, which will force some people to pay 189 per cent more than under the current Fire Services Property Levy,” she said.
“Not only will farmers be hit hard, but the tax for all households and commercial properties will double, the tax for industrial land will go up 64 per cent, and new tax charges will be passed on to renters, driving up the cost of living in Victoria for us all.
“It’s no surprise that we have had thousands of responses to The Nationals’ Scrap the Tax campaign.
“Local councils are also against the new fund, which they will be forced to collect on the government’s behalf, leaving them to bear the brunt of community frustration.
“The government has argued that the tax is necessary to pay for agencies including the State Emergency Service, and while no one disputes the need for our SES and other agencies to be properly funded to continue their incredible work, the truth is these organisations were previously funded through general revenue.
“It’s only because of Labor’s abysmal ability to manage money and skyrocketing debt that the government is now forcing our communities to pay for what should be core government services – it’s reprehensible.
“Labor can’t manage money and can’t manage our emergency services, and our communities are paying the price.”
Ms Kealy said it was particularly infuriating that volunteers – who contributed millions to the levy every year – were going to be slugged more.
“Our volunteers are the backbone of firefighting, especially in rural and regional areas. These amazing people give up thousands of hours of their own time to keep our communities safe, and yet not only does the government refuse to give them the equipment they need and deserve, it’s also going to force them to pay more to support their communities,” she said.
“Labor has flagged a tiny reduction in the levy for volunteers, but they will have to wait until at least mid-2026, and the government can’t even explain who will be eligible and how any rebates will work.
“The opposition to this disastrous legislation has been nothing short of overwhelming, and my colleagues and I will continue to stand with our communities and fight tooth and nail to stop it.”
Ms Kealy encouraged people to visit ScrapTheTax.com.au to add their voice to the campaign.