General News
23 May, 2025
Rally on the steps of parliament
Anger from CFA members, farmers, business owners and member of the community across the state of Victoria since the government's announcement of the new Emergency Services and Volunteer Levy culminated in a rally at the steps of parliament on Tuesday May 20.
Thousands of Victorians in fire trucks, cars, buses and trains headed to ground zero in Spring Street, Melbourne..
The new tax on ratepayers proposes to fund emergency services in Victoria meaning the volunteer CFA members of who many are farmers, will fund the service they volunteer for an thousands of dollars.
Rural advocate Andrew Weidermann siad, "The rural voters voted for a change of government at the May federal election and the city voters voted Labor back in so we need them, the city people, to know what is really happening so we'll take it to them.
"Just because the government with the support of the Greens and other minority parties voted the new ESVL in during the night, doesn't mean it's over.
"We are just getting started and Tuesday's rally was an opportunity for people to meet on the steps of parliament and send a clear message that we do not accept this government's treatment of the rural community," he said.
Hundreds of CFA units have gone offline and members have hung their yellow suits 'out to dry' in what they say is an example of what they believe this government has done to them in the tax hike across all households but in particular the rural community, many of them farmers and volunteers in the CFA
Among the units close to home to take some of their units offline are Warracknabeal, Beulah, Dadswells Bridge, Kaniva and Rainbow, but service will continue and people needing assistance will be attended to.
Before taking these steps, all brigades have made alternative arrangements to cover their communities and make sure they are safe.
Yarriambiack Shire Council is outraged at the Victorian Government plans to balance today’s budget at the expense of our residents who are facing drought and a cost-of-living crisis.
Mayor Zanker said, “that although modifications were made to secure the passage of the Emergency Services Volunteer Fund, they are considered an insult to our community”.
Mayor Zanker continued, "that farmers and primary producers who are experiencing drought will be exempt from paying the increased levy during the duration of the drought. Instead, they will continue to pay the existing Fire Services Levy”.
“How does the government expect council’s to administer this?
"It is now May, and with the new rates and charges to be struck and posted out to residents by mid-August how does the government propose our software systems will be able to manage two separate levies?” asked Mayor Zanker.
“Whilst the government is promising funds for an implementation package to support Council’s, how quickly do they propose that the software providers can turn these changes around? Have they been consulted? “
Our small rural Shire operates with limited resources, and reallocating our staff time and efforts to administer an unjustifiable tax is absurd”, stated Mayor Zanker.
We have received assurances that no councils will be left carrying the debt resulting from failure of residents to pay the levy.
"I am not sure the Government comprehends the outrage of our community. We have had ratepayers contacting me, the Chief Executive Officer and the office staff, stating they will not pay their rates. This will impact our ability to deliver services and manage our cash flow. This will then further impact our residents”, stated Mayor Zanker.
Whilst the Treasurer has indicated she is willing to reduce the levy from 83c / $1000 of Capital Improved Value (CIV) to 71.3 / $1000 CIV for primary producers (to bring them in line with commercial and industrial) this new levy will still have a substantial impact on our primary producers.
“It is incomprehensible that the people who volunteer and provide their services in rural communities will be some of the hardest hit with this tax”, stated Mayor Zanker.
“I wish to commend our community who made the journey to Melbourne today to protest this absurd, unjust and discriminatory tax.
"As a Council we stand behind you”, concluded Mayor Zanker.
This tax will disproportionately affect rural landholders and the small businesses that depend on
them.
The Buloke Shire West CFA Brigade district 18 will hold no training, no tree hazards or burn over drill; CFA district 18 headquarters will take over control of the group.
"All trucks will be going to Melbourne and all SCV's from the group.
"And we will be leaving them in Melbourne," they said.
The uniforms of dedicated volunteers in the CFA who have often volunteered for decades and across generations of one family have left their uniforms on the steps of parliament at previous protests in recent weeks and some even burning them to show their disgust at the tax hike.
The Victorian Treasurer acknowledged farmers’ concerns and said amendments were made before the vote to ease the levy increases, reducing the planned rise from 189 per cent to 150 per cent.
The government has also introduced rebate schemes for volunteers and farmers in drought-affected areas.
However, these rebates require payment of the full levy upfront before the rebate is paid.
While there were some small adjustments to the original bill, it has done little to appease an angry community.
