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Gippsland › Latest news › Melina Bath MP

Liberals and Nationals to scrap Labor's emergency services tax, vow to support for regional communities

The Liberals and Nationals pledge to scrap Labor's Emergency Services Tax, restoring fairness for farmers, families, and regional communities, and reinstating the original fire services property levy.

By news@gippsland - 29th May 2025 - Back to News

The Liberals and Nationals will scrap Labor's Emergency Services tax in government. Ms Bath told state parliament tax that the unjustifiable tax will rip $3 billion over four years from Victorian families, farmers, and small businesses under the guise of supporting emergency services.

Labor's $616 million tax targets farmers, raises food prices, burdens families, and misleads about funding frontline emergency volunteers

Farmers hit hardest

Labor's new tax has doubled, even tripled charges for property owners across the state, with primary producers hit hardest - facing rate hikes of up to 150 percent. Ms Bath said under Labor's changes, all Victorian property owners will pay more but it is a misconception that the money collected will go to frontline services. "The extra revenue will not increase support for emergency service volunteers - it goes towards funding agencies that used to be funded through existing taxes," she said.

Ms Bath said Labor's 60th new or increased tax would hurt every Victorian ratepayer. "But it is our farmers, many of whom are also CFA volunteers, SES members, and first responders, who will be punished most by a 150 percent increase."

"To hit regional communities while they are already battling drought and cost-of-living pressures is unconscionable. Labor's claims farmers who are emergency services volunteers are exempt is misleading - the devil is in the detail, exemptions are only applied to a farmers' primary place of residence, not the entire property," she added.

Fairer emergency funding

Under a Liberals and Nationals government, tax will be scrapped, and the Fire Services Property Levy will be restored. "Reinstating the Fire Services Property Levy will reverse the major rate increases our regional communities are facing and ensure the funds raised are going directly to our volunteer brigades."

"Funding for the SES and core government services should be delivered transparently through the state budget - not buried in household rates. I want to thank the incredible emergency services volunteers and farmers who rallied twice on the steps of Parliament and locally, to voice their discontent and stand up for their community," concluded Ms Bath.

Pictures from Melina Bath MP Facebook page.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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  Gippsland Water announced its National Water Week poster winners, congratulating students for colourful submissions. Four placed in the state competition, with Heyfield Primary School winning $500 for STEM or sustainability projects.
• Latrobe Health Assembly to continue, thanks to strong community support and new independent, community-owned future
  Defunded in the 2025 State Budget, the Latrobe Health Assembly will continue as a leaner, community-owned organisation tackling local health and wellbeing challenges through collaboration and grassroots leadership.
• Bass Coast Council adopts 2026 - 2029 Domestic Animal Management Plan to support responsible pet ownership and wildlife protection
  Bass Coast Shire Council has adopted its 2026 - 2029 Domestic Animal Management Plan, promoting responsible pet ownership, wildlife protection, and safer shared spaces shaped by extensive community consultation and environmental stewardship goals.
• Tim Bull trashes misused Treasurer’s Advance as Allan government wastes $9M on costly failed camping trial
  The Allan government spent $9 million in emergency funds on a failed free-camping trial, creating "ghost bookings" and hurting local businesses, prompting Nationals MP Tim Bull to condemn the misuse and demand accountability.
• Darren Chester honours Gippsland farmers and workers on National Agriculture Day for vital regional contributions
  Darren Chester has praised Gippsland’s farmers and agricultural workers on National Agriculture Day, recognising their resilience, vital economic contribution and essential role in sustaining local communities and ensuring ongoing food security.
• Baw Baw Shire to gain two new kindergartens located at the Neerim South Primary School and Warragul Regional College opening in 2028
  Baw Baw Shire will gain two new kindergartens at Neerim South and Warragul, opening in 2028, easing local demand and supporting families as part of the State’s Best Start reforms.
• Danny O’Brien condemns sudden AKD Yarram timber mill closure, 73 jobs lost, pledges support for affected community
  Gippsland South MP Danny O’Brien says sudden AKD Yarram timber mill closure, costing 73 jobs, devastates the community, pledging support for affected families, workers, and local businesses during this crisis.
• Darren Chester praises TAFE Gippsland and BRHS partnership for training local students to strengthen regional health workforce
  Darren Chester praised TAFE Gippsland and BRHS for training local students, highlighting regional partnerships as key to addressing health workforce shortages and encouraging young people to pursue local health careers.
• Darren Chester urges more fuel reduction to protect Victorian communities from bushfires
  Darren Chester urged increased fuel reduction on Victorian public land, warning unmanaged forests worsen bushfires, and criticised the native timber industry shutdown while praising volunteers and community resilience.
• Tim Bull demands end to brumby shooting as pest and weed control programs face cuts
  Gippsland East MP Tim Bull has urged the state government to scrap its costly brumby shooting program, criticising cuts to pest and weed control services vital for farmers and rural communities.
• East Gippsland Council seeks feedback for the UOMO draft legislation, submit feedback by 19 October 2025
  East Gippsland Council welcomes Federal UOMO draft legislation, aiming to expand reliable mobile coverage, improve emergency services, and ensure equitable access for rural and remote communities. Feedback is open until 19 October 2025.
• Peri Urban Councils urge state government to invest in infrastructure and support housing growth across regions
  Peri Urban Councils Victoria is urging government investment in infrastructure after a new report recommended 40% of new homes be built in regional Australia, highlighting housing demand, high costs, and infrastructure pressures.
• Second round of South Gippsland community grants now open, with drop-in support sessions in various dates and locations
  South Gippsland Shire Council’s second round of community grants is open until 31 March 2026, with seven drop-in sessions available to assist local clubs and groups with applications.
• Second round of South Gippsland community grants now open, with drop-in support sessions in various dates and locations
  South Gippsland Shire Council’s second round of community grants is open until 31 March 2026, with seven drop-in sessions available to assist local clubs and groups with applications.
• Danny O’Brien says Crime Statistics Agency figures reveal rising serious assaults and theft across Gippsland communities
  Crime is rising across Gippsland, with assaults, thefts, and burglaries increasing sharply, prompting Nationals’ Danny O’Brien to call for stronger police resourcing, law reforms, and preventative measures.
• East Gippsland Council urges drivers to follow parking limits, protect access and support local businesses this festive season
  East Gippsland drivers are urged to follow festive-season parking limits, respecting time restrictions, loading zones, and disabled bays to ensure town accessibility and support local businesses.
• Darren Chester commends Mac Waste Group for community commitment and support for Gippsland families
  Darren Chester praised Mac Waste Group for its community commitment, local job creation, youth training initiatives, and support for Gippsland families through its partnership with the Little Jem Foundation and fundraising efforts.
• Latrobe City Council endorses Economic Development Advisory Committee to drive diverse, regional economic growth
  Latrobe City Council will establish an Economic Development Advisory Committee with diverse industry leaders and an independent chair to guide post-coal transition economic growth and investment opportunities.