Fire levies to double

PROPERTY owners are to pay double as fire levy scrapped Proposed changes to the Fire Services Levy are set to double the amount that Victorian property owners pay each year. The scope of the levy now changed to include multiple emergency services. Starting in 2025, the newly titled Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund (ESVF) is set to now provide funding to multiple emergency departments rather than fire-based services only. This includes the CFA, VICSES, Triple Zero Victoria, Forest Fire Management, Emergency Recovery Victoria, and the State Control Centre. The changes to the levy will also provide exemptions from payment that will apply to all active CFA and VICSES volunteers, as well as life members. The Nationals’ Member for Euroa, Annabelle Cleeland, who has been consistently advocating for emergency service volunteers to receive more support when it comes to paying the fire services levy, said the changes were a mixed bag. “After years of standing with our volunteer firefighters and calling for a fairer go, it is pleasing to see Labor finally surrender and change their broken Fire Services Levy,” Ms Cleeland said. “The persistence of our volunteers and advocacy from The Nationals has ensured that they will receive a well-deserved exemption that recognises all the incredible work they do in keeping our communities safe. “Unfortunately, this exemption is attached to yet another tax on Victorians, with Labor finding more ways to cover for their disastrous financial mismanagement. “Labor’s inability to manage core government services like a triple zero system has resulted in funding for the rest of our emergency services being diluted, with the costs once again being passed onto Victorian taxpayers.” Despite increasing the Fire Service Levy by an estimated $186 million dollars this year, the Minister for Emergency Services recently revealed that only nine per cent of the increased revenue was set to flow through to struggling volunteer CFA brigades. Ms Cleeland and Nationals leader Danny O’Brien met with the region’s CFA captains in Seymour recently, vowing to fight for fairer funding, better resources, and stronger support for volunteers. With aging trucks and outdated equipment endangering the lives of volunteers across the state, and rural communities bearing the brunt of millions in tax increases, Ms Cleeland demanded full transparency from the Allan Labor Government on how these funds are being used. “Victorians deserve to know where their money is going. This year’s levy increase has done little to support our CFA brigades, which remain underfunded and ill-equipped to protect our communities,” Ms Cleeland said. “The lack of transparency surrounding this funding is unacceptable. “Under the new levy, even more agencies will compete for a share of the pie, making it nearly impossible for taxpayers to see how their hard-earned dollars are being spent.” Ms Cleeland called on Labor to urgently address its failure to prioritize frontline services.