Victorians opening their council rates notices this week are seeing the cost of Labor’s massive new emergency services tax grab.
The Nationals Member for Lowan Emma Kealy said Labor had dramatically expanded its Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund tax beyond funding frontline fire services, using it to fund government agencies and services that have traditionally been supported through general government revenue.
The Nationals have committed to scrapping the ESVF and returning to the former Fire Services Property Levy model.
“Don’t be fooled by the name. This tax isn’t simply about putting more trucks in CFA and SES sheds or better equipment in the hands of our volunteers,” Ms Kealy said.
“Labor has expanded the tax to help fund Triple Zero Victoria, Emergency Management Victoria, Forest Fire Management Victoria, the State Control Centre and Emergency Recovery Victoria.
“These are core government responsibilities that should be properly funded through the State Budget, not shifted onto families, farmers and businesses through another tax on their properties.”
Ms Kealy said the Fire Services Property Levy raised about $1.03 billion in its final year.
Labor’s expanded tax is expected to rake in $1.6 billion this year – about $570 million more from Victorian property owners.
“For a $600,000 home, the levy has risen from about $184 under the old system to about $243 today,” Ms Kealy said.
“A $1-million commercial property will see a jump from about $931 to more than $1,600.
“Victorians absolutely support properly funding our CFA, SES and emergency services. So do The Nationals.
“But Labor shouldn’t use the enormous contribution of our emergency services volunteers as cover to shift the cost of core government services onto your rates notices.
“At a time when families are struggling with groceries, power, insurance and mortgages, the last thing they need is another Labor tax.
“The Nationals will scrap Labor’s emergency services tax and return to the former Fire Services Property Levy model as part of our plan for a fresh start and a Fair Share for all Victorians.
“We will properly fund the services Victorians rely on without constantly reaching deeper into their pockets.”