On the steps of Parliament, alongside thousands of farmers, CFA Volunteers, business owners and many Victorians, the Liberals and Nationals have announced that they will scrap Labor’s Emergency Services Property Levy (ESVF) – a tax that rips $765 million a year from Victorian families, farmers and small businesses under the guise of supporting emergency services.
Labelled a “land tax by stealth,” Labor’s new levy has doubled or even tripled charges for property owners across the state, with primary producers hit hardest – facing rate hikes of up to 150 per cent.
Under Labor’s changes, a typical home valued at $1 million now attracts a $309 annual charge, while small businesses and farmers are paying thousands more without any guarantee that money will go to frontline services.
The Nationals’ Member for Shepparton District, Kim O’Keeffe, said this is a disgraceful tax.
“The Allan Labor Government’s new emergency services tax is a callous cash grab from an incompetent government, she said.
“This tax was never about supporting volunteers. It was yet another attempt to slug every single Victorian to make up for Labor’s financial mismanagement.
“To increase the tax burden on farmers by 150 per cent in the midst of a cost of living crisis and drought conditions reflects the utter disregard this government has for anyone and anything outside suburbia.
“Under a Liberals and Nationals government, this appalling tax will be scrapped and replaced by the simpler, fairer Fire Services Property Levy – a model that funds fire services transparently, without punishing homeowners, renters and farmers.”
Ms O’Keeffe is urging Victorians to continue their fight against the new emergency services tax after another loud and defiant protest of thousands of Victorians at Parliament today.
“The Treasurer claims to represent our region and yet she thinks every Victorian can afford to pay even more tax,” Ms O’Keeffe said.
“She couldn’t be more out of touch if she tried, and Victorians have sent her a very clear message about this tax.
“Thousands of Victorians from every part of the state converged on Spring St to send that exact message to a government that has nothing but contempt for the people of our state.
“While we will always stand with the CFA and our emergency services, the Allan Labor Government has taken every opportunity to disrespect them and the role they play in our communities.
“Instead of listening to and supporting regional Victorians, this government would rather spend billions on the Suburban Rail Loop that will cripple budgets for decades.
“Our commitment to scrap the tax is about returning fairness and transparency to the system and supporting our incredible emergency services volunteers.
“Labor can’t manage money, can’t manage emergency services and Victorians are paying the price.”
