From July 1, there will be an increase in rates across the state.
State Member for Euroa Annabelle Cleeland has been a vocal opposer of the ESVF, calling it a cash grab which will do nothing to fix issues faced by Victoria’s emergency services volunteers.
“Every single Victorian who pays rates will be hit by this cruel tax,” she said.
“But it’s our farmers — many of whom are also CFA volunteers, SES members and first responders — who will be punished most by this 150 per cent increase.
“To hit regional communities while they’re already battling drought and cost-of-living pressures is unconscionable.
“It’s a betrayal of the very people who keep our state running and safe.”
In response to the advocacy of local councils, regional Victorian ratepayers and emergency services volunteers, the Victorian Government has made several amendments to the levy.
They include reducing the variable taxed rate for primary production land, making it law that every single dollar collected from the levy must be spent on emergency services and guaranteeing that 95 per cent of VicSES and CFA funding and 90 per cent of Fire Rescue Victoria funding will come from the levy.
Amendments to the ESVF
- Variable rate for Primary Production Land will be reduced from 83c/$1000 Capital Improved Value to 71.8c/$1000 CIV.
- A guarantee in legislation will be made, stating that 95 per cent of VicSES and CFA funding will come from the ESVF and 90 per cent of Fire Rescue Victoria’s annual funding will come from the levy.
- Legislation will be made to make it clear that every single dollar collected from the levy must be spent on emergency services.
- An annual report on how much money has been collected by the ESVF and how that money will be spent will be made available to boost transparency.
- A commitment to work on an implementation package for local councils, including funding for the Municipal Association of Victoria, will be made.
- Partial rebates of the ESVF will be provided to farmers eligible for the infrastructure grants program in the Victorian Government’s drought support package.
State Treasurer Jaclyn Symes said the ESVF would “give emergency services the funding and equipment they need as they face natural disasters which are happening more often and becoming more destructive”.
Emergency Services Minister Vicki Ward said the new funding model would give “our incredible emergency service workers and volunteers the modern equipment they need to help keep communities safe”.
Despite the amendments, protestors are still opposing the new levy.
When the bill passed on Thursday, May 15, more than 300 CFA brigades went offline in protest, and another rally is planned at Parliament House on Tuesday, May 20.
Ms Cleeland said she was under the impression that the money raised from the ESVF would not go towards funding frontline emergency services.
“Our local brigades are still fundraising for basic safety gear, yet this government is redirecting tax revenue to bloated city-based departments,” Ms Cleeland said.
“Instead of taxing regional families off their farms, Labor should be investing directly in the facilities, equipment and support that our volunteers need to keep our communities safe.
“CFA volunteers have spoken loudly and they’re not done yet.”
For more information on the ESVF, head to https://tinyurl.com/5ev4shyz
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