Farmers have lashed the Victorian Government over its announcement last week that it will back down over its controversial emergency services levy.
In a joint statement released on Friday, May 30, United Firefighters Union national secretary Peter Marshall and Wimmera farmer Andrew Weidemann emphasised the announcement was for a temporary pause on the collection of the Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund for some people.
“The government has made clear that the pause for farmers is for this year only,” they said.
“It is not a full moratorium, and the tax will hit businesses and homeowners hard this year.
“The laws will remain on the books, and the tax will hang over the heads of every Victorian — including farmers, businesses and homeowners— for every year to come. The tax will simply continue to pay for the continued attacks on firefighters and their safety.
“We need to see this extra tax discarded entirely, and the laws that enable it repealed so it cannot be reintroduced when the government is no longer facing the intense political pressure that recent protests have produced.
“There should be an immediate public inquiry into the tax, its impact on Victorians, and the political machinations behind today’s announcement.”
As part of its backdown, the government announced it would cap the ESVF variable rate for all farmers at 28.7 from July 1 — the same as in 2024/25 under the Fire Services and Property Levy.
The government has also announced an additional $37.7 million in drought support funding for farmers across Victoria.
A Drought Response Taskforce, chaired by the premier, will inform the delivery of a further package of support to be delivered to farmers “as soon as possible”.
Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan said the increasingly devastating effects of drought weren’t confined by postcode or region, but were impacting farmers across Victoria.
“It’s why we’re expanding support statewide,” Ms Allan said.
“The new taskforce will bring together Victorians from different communities, different backgrounds and different political parties. Most importantly, it’ll be focused on delivering real relief for farming communities.”
“By capping the rate of the Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund for primary production properties, we’re ensuring farmers can remain fully focused on their drought response and recovery,” Victorian Treasurer and Regional Development Minister Jaclyn Symes said.
It comes following months of pressure from farmers and CFA volunteers across Victoria, including a budget day protest against the ESVF that drew thousands to the steps of Parliament House in Melbourne earlier in May.
The ESVF is a levy that will be collected by Victorian councils from July 1. It replaces the FSPL to fund an expanded range of emergency services, including the CFA and VICSES.