PROTESTORS gathered outside Member for Bass, Jordan Crugnale's office today with placards in hand and voices raised in unison against the State Governments recently passed emergency services and volunteers fund levy.
Together the crowd chanted "Axe the Tax," and Bass Coast locals spoke out about the impact the tax will have on farmers, business owners and the wider community.
Cheers went up from the crowd as a John Deere tractor made its way up and down McBride Street and passed the office of Ms. Crugnale.
Rob Truman, a Bass Coast local believes politicians have lost touch with the people and are failing to do their research to properly represent want communities want, need and care about.
“I’m protesting because I think the tax is immoral and I think it's all about raising money,” he said.
“The mere fact that she (Jordan Crugnale) voted for the tax and declares that it's a good thing says to me that she's disconnected from the people.”
“The people protesting are there because they are not happy with the decision that’s been made, because it’s not representative of what the vast majority want.”
Rob believes todays politicians are lacking the courage to stand by their principles and ethics and their communities in the face of the party agenda and instead are simply toeing the line.
“It does feel like a betrayal, and you can see that with the people, because this person's been elected to represent us, and we elect the person to represent us, to be our voice. Therefore, that person should be well connected with what the people feel.”
Rob would like to see the tax abolished immediately.
“We're not a cash cow. We are so overtaxed it's not funny, and we all feel it's deliberate to keep us down there, and that is wrong and that's why, as a people, we have to stand. We have to stand and make our voice heard and say no; we've had enough. We've had a total gut full of you wasting money.”
While Ms. Crugnale wasn't in attendance to address the protestors, she released a statement prior to the rally:
As this is a sitting week I will be in parliament so won’t be able to address everyone attending or answer any questions that people may have.
I do not shy away from protests nor meeting with community members on issues that matter to them.
Should the organisers wish to make contact to arrange another time to protest or meet in person, I will make myself available.
