Jordan Crugnale ‘once again absent’ at second rally opposing new levy, they say

FARMERS, business owners and residents rallied once again against the emergency services levy in Wonthaggi this morning.
While local MPs and Councillors spoke out alongside farmers and residents. Some of them remarked on the absence of local Bass MP Ms Jordan Crugnale, who they say voted in favour of the levy. 
Despite Ms Crugnale reportedly being informed of the event two weeks ago and formally invited to attend and previously stating that: “I do not shy away from protests nor meeting with community members on issues that matter to them,” and, "should the organisers wish to make contact to arrange another time to protest or meet in person, I will make myself available” – she didn’t. 
Local woman, Faye representing the CFA, addressed the crowd and imparted figures sourced from the CFA.
“The new levy will collect an estimated $610.9 million in 2025/26 financial year, jumping to an extra $765 million the following year. Of that, only $50 million in new CFA spending has been included in the budget. That equals 8% of the extra money in year one and just 6.5% in year two.” 
“In other words, in the first year of the new tax, only $0.08 from every extra dollar raised is going to volunteer emergency services; dropping to just $0.07 in the future. There has been no other uplift to CFA budget, which has gone down every year for the past five years.”
“In other words, taxes are going up, but CFA’s budget has been going down. 95% of CFA’s 24/25 budget is $320 million, 95% of SES budget is $71 million. Therefore, after factoring in the extra $50 million CFA and SES expenditure will represent just 27% of the total revenue collected by the new levy in year on and 25% of the total from year two onwards. That means volunteer agencies will represent only one quarter of the levy being collected.”
Regional MP’s from The Nationals, Melina Bath, Wayne Farnham and the from the Liberals Renee Health, all opposed the bill.
Ms Bath stated if the Coalition get elected in November 2026, they will repeal the tax. 
“The first thing that we will do is go in and repeal this legislation.”
“We will still make sure that our CFA, our volunteers, are funded. It will go back to a levy and they will be properly funded. Our SES will be properly funded, not like now.” 
While Wayne Farnham said that the tax is especially unfair to our farming communities right now - and everyone else.
“Now, this case obviously doesn't just affect farmers, and yes, they've said you can have the 12 month free. Well, 12 months isn't good enough and that's why we said we will scrap the tax, because we know it's unfair that every renter, every business, every household will be affected by this tax.” 
Bass Coast Shire Councillor Meg Edwards organised the rally and said that this is something that is not going away in the short term, and a long view will be taken on the issue.