Government Backs Down on Fire Levy After Farmer Protests
"The government's plan would have increased taxes for many farmers by up to 189 percent."
The Victorian government has introduced the Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund (ESVF) to replace the existing fire services levy, citing an increase in natural disasters. The new levy, however, sparked immediate backlash after it was revealed it would have significantly raised costs for farming communities.
Farmers and CFA volunteers organized protests against the move, with Rob Armstrong emerging as a key public figure. Armstrong, a farmer and CFA volunteer of 40 years, shared a deeply personal story: he was rescued by volunteer firefighters during a bushfire in 1969.
In response to the outcry, the government announced a two-year freeze for farmers at the lower 2024/25 rate. Additionally, the farm-value cap for rebates available to CFA volunteers has been increased from $5 million to $10 million.
The concessions offer temporary relief, but the broader debate over funding emergency services in the face of increasing natural disaster risks continues.