A RALLY on the steps of Parliament last Tuesday morning didn’t stop the Victorian Government from pushing through its controversial Emergency Services and Volunteer Fund, which was voted in by Thursday night.
The Emergency Services and Volunteer Fund (ESVF) replaces the previous Fire Services Levy (FSL) which will see significant rate increases for all Victorian homeowners, business operators, and farmers from July 1, 2025.
The State Government passed the legislation with cross-benchers agreeing to the bill, prior to the budget being released today (May 20), despite the coalition vehemently opposing the bill.
The FSL was instated in 2013 via council rates notices and raised funds for 87.5 per cent of Fire Rescue Victoria (FRV) and 77.5 per cent of the Country Fire Authority’s (CFA) annual budget.
The new ESVF will be issued the same way, but will also be used to fund VICSES, Triple Zero Victoria, the State Control Centre, Forest Fire Management Victoria, Emergency Recovery Victoria, Emergency Management Victoria, Emergency Alert Program (automatic emergency warning SMSs), and the Emergency Management Operational Communication Program as well as the CFA and FRV.
The variable charge will increase for residential properties (based on the capital improved value) from 8.7 per cent (cents per $1000 CIV) up to 17.3 per cent – almost doubling.
While commercial properties will be hit with a 100 per cent increase, industrial rates will rise by 64 per cent, and farmers will cop a staggering 150 per cent hike compared to what they previously paid.
Some farmers will get an exemption if they are CFA or SES volunteers or if they are in a drought declared area, which does presently include Bass Coast, South Gippsland and French Island.
The Nationals’ Melina Bath said the tax was nothing more than a desperate cash grab from the State Government that will do nothing to fix the real issues plaguing Victoria’s emergency services.
“Every single Victorian who pays rates will be hit by this cruel tax, but it’s our farmers who bear the brunt with a 150 per cent increase,” Ms Bath said.
“Labor is shockingly punishing farmers when many are also CFA volunteers, SES members, and first responders.
“To hit families with this new tax while they struggle with cost-of-living pressures and target farmers gripped by drought is unconscionable.”
Across Victoria over 300 CFA brigades went offline on Thursday night in protest of the ESVF with another protest planned for the steps of parliament today (Tuesday, May 20).
Acting Chief Officer of CFA Garry Cook stated on Friday afternoon,
“Volunteers and brigades, many of whom are from rural communities, have had a long summer of fire activity and are facing a lot of pressure as a result of drought which is impacting their livelihoods.
“We respect their rights to engage in matters relevant to their local communities, including those who are concerned about the potential impact of the Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund.”
While the government has announced a reduction in the levy for farmers – reducing it from 189 per cent to 150 per cent, and a temporary pause for those in drought-declared areas, the Victorian
Farmers Federation said these concessions do little to ease the broader burden that will be felt across regional and rural Victoria.
“The sheer reality is that this levy will create a crippling financial burden to farmers,” said VFF President Brett Hosking.
“This decision shows a clear disconnect between our state government and the day-to-day realities faced by those on the land.”
“It almost feels like the worse this drought gets, the harder the government pushes to take more from farmers,” he added.
The Victorian Greens supported the Labor bill, provided a number of changes be made to the initial proposal, and stated that all the legislation does is provide a legal tool to provide secure, ongoing funding for emergency services into the future.
“With increased bushfires, floods and droughts, we need fully funded emergency services to keep us all safe – so we don’t face a horrific situation like the LA fires,” said Leader of the Victorian Greens, Ellen Sandell.
When asked for comment, Member for Bass Jordan Crugnale stated: “I know this is a very difficult time for many members of our community, particularly farmers, with drought conditions and bad harvests. I am glad to see some recent changes to the levy, including reducing the cost to primary producers and providing refunds for farmers in drought-impacted areas.
“Eligible CFA and SES volunteers and life members will also receive a full refund on their primary residence. In addition, eligible farmers in declared drought-impacted areas will be able to claim an additional partial rebate in 2025/26. This means that these farmers will have no increase in their Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund levy rates compared to those they paid the previous year for their Fire Services Property Levy.
“Every single dollar raised by this new fund will support our emergency services – this is an extension of the Fire Services Levy which brings in the SES who currently have to pay, for example, their own fuel, protective uniform, extinguisher checks and equipment repairs.
“These changes will give emergency services the funding and equipment they need as they face natural disasters which are happening more often and becoming more destructive.”
Eastern Victoria members Renee Heath (Liberal), Jeff Bourman (Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party Victoria) and Melina Bath (The Nationals) all voted against the bill, whilst Tom McIntosh (Labor) and Harriet Shing (Labor) voted party lines in favour of the bill.
Member for Eastern Victoria Tom McIntosh MP was contacted for comment but did not respond in time for print.
More information on the Emergency Services and Volunteer Fund was released on Monday visit dtf.vic.gov.au/emergency-services-and-volunteers-fund.
