CFA exemptions fail to hit the mark

The Allan Labor Government has once again failed to properly support emergency service volunteers across the state, with recent reports indicating that they have allocated just $6 million to cover levy exemptions.

The reports, found in a budget update tabled in Parliament, also refers to the exemptions as coming into play from July 1, 2026, 12 months later than initially planned.

The Nationals’ Member for Euroa, Annabelle Cleeland, said these announcements were representative of Labor’s failure to effectively support the state’s emergency services such as the CFA and SES.

“The levy exemption had the opportunity to provide much needed relief to our dedicated volunteers, however it is clear it will fail to address key issues within our emergency services,” Ms Cleeland said.

“With over 55,000 volunteers, this $6 million will fail to provide the necessary exemptions for our landowners, while also failing to improve core issues within brigades and units such as decreasing volunteer numbers, ageing vehicles, and ineffective facilities.

“Labor must do more to ensure our emergency services are supported to keep our communities safe.”

Ms Cleeland has been calling for a reduction in the fire service levy for volunteers since before Labor’s decision and has stated that the government must urgently address its failure to prioritise frontline services.

“The Allan Labor Government must stop hiding behind bureaucracy and start delivering for the people,” Ms Cleeland said.

“Victorians expect their contributions to strengthen emergency services, not disappear into a black hole of mismanagement.”