The Nationals’ Member for Euroa, Annabele Cleeland, has called for the government to reduce the amount that CFA volunteers are paying towards the fire services levy.
The Fire Services Levy, paid by all Victorian landowners, was hiked significantly by Labor in the 2024-25 State Budget. This will increase the fire tax paid by Victorians by around $186 million in the next year.
Ms Cleeland raised the issue during the most recent sitting week of Parliament, asking the Minister for Emergency Services to stop allowing CFA volunteers to be unfairly punished with these increased tax bills.
“Many of the local property owners who are having to pay more towards the Fire Services Levy are volunteer firefighters that have seen their brigades have to slash their budgets,” Ms Cleeland said.
“I’ve had local volunteers tell me they’re now paying over 53 per cent more for the Fire Services Levy compared to last year, with some farm owners facing increases of up to 65 per cent.
“This comes on top of the already massive rise in land tax that these same people are struggling to manage.”
Ms Cleeland said reducing the amount that CFA volunteers had to pay towards the levy would be an important step towards rebuilding morale amongst a declining volunteer force.
“We owe our CFA volunteers more than gratitude; we owe them the resources to do their job safely and effectively,” Ms Cleeland said.
“Instead of hiking taxes, this government should be investing in the men and women who stand between us and disaster.
“Our brigades are suffering from a lack of investment, delays when it comes to crucial infrastructure and vehicle upgrades, and a massively declining volunteer force.
“While some volunteers are paying hundreds more each year to the levy, their own brigades are having to cut their budget. It simply isn’t fair.
“Labor cannot manage our emergency services, and unfortunately it is our regional volunteers and brigades that will pay the price this fire season.”
