FOSTER North beef farmer Scott Rae stands behind his decision to take a Cryovaced package of bull’s manure to the steps of State Parliament on Tuesday this week to effectively call “bull shit” at the introduction of the Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund (ESVF).
Bemused by the reaction of the Premier Jacinta Allan but buoyed by the hundreds of messages of support he has received, Mr Rae said the government had completely misread the depth of feeling over the introduction of levy.
“I could have made a poster, but I vacuum packed a pile Brutus’ best and thought it might get photographed by a journo or two and help send a message to the government,” said Mr Rae this week.
“If it highlights the fact that the government is ripping hundreds of millions of dollars out of the farmers’ pockets and out of rural communities at a time when they can least afford it then bruising a few sensitivities is the least of my concerns.”
The state government will raise $1.6 billion from the ESVF next financial year, up $600 million on its predecessor last year, the Fire Services Property Levy (FSPL).
The message on the package reads: “Dearest Jacinta. I have considered your levy and here’s my feedback, it’s bullshit. Love Brutus and family.
“I didn’t put it on the Premier’s desk. The CCTV they have in the parliament will show that, but it was never going to cause a health issue.
“I was going to have it sitting on the front seat of my car for a couple of hours so I Cryovaced it. I don’t know what all the fuss is about.”
Asked if he thought the stunt would cause problems for the South Gippsland Shire Council where he is an elected councillor, Mr Rae said the shire didn’t have a lot to lose.
“We don’t get a great deal out of the State Government anyway, but this is a fundamental issue for rural communities like ours. They can’t be threated as a cash cow for government without any benefits coming back the other way,” he said.
While the owner of a $800,000 house can expect to see $274.40 added to their rates notice this year, almost double what taken for the FSPL, the owner of a $5 million farm can expect to pay $3865 this coming year, an increase of an average of 150%. Many pay considerably more.
At this week’s Bass Coast Shire Council meeting it was revealed that the State Government will take $5.52 million out of the community this year alone.
The levy will increase annually along with property revaluations and may also be subject to CPI increases.
Liberal MPs Bev McArthur and Nicole Werner allegedly helped deliver the package to the Premier’s doorstep but while Mr Rae wasn’t in a position to either confirm or deny that, he did acknowledge sharing a cup of tea with the Member for Western Victoria who is also the Shadow Minister for Local Government on the day, together with a number of others.
Manager of government business Mary-Anne Thomas has referred the matter to the parliament’s privileges committee, alleging the two MPs had brought the parliament into disrepute.
The Premier has been on the media all day expressing outrage at the stunt, slamming it as disgraceful.
The response on social media has been the opposite, according to Mr Rae, with one response in particular tickling his fancy.
“One of them said they’d like to see a bronze statue of Brutus instead of Premier Andrews. I wouldn’t argue with that.”
Mr Rae said he planned to use the publicity the incident had generated to raise some money for farmers mental health support. Watch this space.
