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Melina Bath condemns Labor's emergency services tax hike slugs Victorians, farmers most, amid widespread protests and CFA outrage

Victorians face steep rate hikes under Labor's new emergency services tax, with farmers hit hardest and widespread CFA protests erupting statewide.

By news@gippsland - 16th May 2025 - Back to News

Victorians will be slugged with higher taxes after Labor's cruel emergency services tax was rammed through Parliament overnight. The Emergency Services and Volunteer Fund (ESVF) will increase rates for all homeowners, business operators, and farmers from July 1.

Melina Bath condemned the tax as a cruel Labor cash grab unfairly punishing ratepayers, especially farmers and volunteer emergency responders

Labor tax hike

It comes after Labor struck another dodgy backroom deal with the Greens, Animal Justice, and Legalise Cannabis parties to pass the legislation. Households will see their rates almost double, commercial properties will be hit with a 100 percent increase, industrial rates will rise by 64 per cent, and farmers will cop a staggering 150 per cent hike compared to what they previously paid.

The Nationals' Melina Bath said the tax was nothing more than a desperate Labor cash grab that will do nothing to fix the real issues plaguing Victoria's emergency services. "Every single Victorian who pays rates will be hit by this cruel tax, but it's our farmers who bear the brunt with a 150 percent increase."

"Labor is shockingly punishing farmers when many are also CFA volunteers, SES members, and first responders. To hit families with this new tax while they struggle with cost-of-living pressures and target farmers gripped by drought is unconscionable," Ms Bath said.

Farmers, volunteers protest

The decision on the ESVF comes just days after hundreds of farmers and CFA volunteers descended on the steps of parliament in protest. Last night over 300 CFA brigades went offline in protest of the ESVF, with another protest planned for this coming Tuesday at state parliament. Under the ESVF, funds raised from the tax will now be funnelled into bureaucratic agencies like Triple Zero, which should be funded through consolidated revenue.

Ms Bath said it is another blatant Labor tax grab to raise revenue for bloated city-based bureaucracy. "Instead of taxing regional families off their farms, Labor should be investing directly in our CFA facilities and volunteers to keep our communities safe."

Pictures from Melina Bath MP Facebook page.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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  Ambulance Victoria data shows Gippsland response times well below targets, with urgent calls for the Allan Labor government to improve staffing, resources, and performance to protect regional communities.
• Customer Experience Survey shows strong satisfaction as East Gippsland Water uses feedback to improve services and operations
  East Gippsland Water’s Customer Experience Survey shows strong satisfaction results, capturing six months of feedback to improve service delivery, responsiveness, and communication across office and field operations.
• Victorian Auditor-General warns Gippsland faces energy insecurity amid Labor’s mismanaged renewable energy transition
  Victorian Auditor-General warns Gippsland faces energy insecurity as Labor mismanages the renewable energy transition, delaying projects, electricity reliability, raising prices, causing gas shortages, and threatening jobs and households.
• Danny O'Brien says Gippsland roads among state's most dangerous after years of neglect under Allan Labor government
  Danny O'Brien says new AusRAP data shows many Gippsland roads are unsafe after years of Labor neglect, criticising the government for lowering speed limits instead of properly fixing deteriorating roads.
• Field and Game petition exceeds 12,000 signatures, prompting Victorian Parliament debate on firearm laws and community safety concerns
  A Field and Game Australia petition, supported by Melina Bath, surpasses 12,000 signatures, prompting Victorian Parliament debate on firearm laws, urging evidence-based policy and protecting law-abiding gun owners.
• Latrobe Valley still waiting for Commonwealth Games Legacy Housing, four years after Labor promise
  Regional Victorians miss hosting Commonwealth Games athletes as promised Morwell legacy housing remains unbuilt. Nationals MPs Martin Cameron and Melina Bath criticize Allan Labor government’s broken promises amid worsening public housing crisis.
• Danny O'Brien warns faulty firefighting vehicles are leaving local CFA Brigades under pressure ahead of bushfire season
  Danny O'Brien has criticised the Allan Labor government for failing to repair faulty firefighting vehicles, warning the issue is placing pressure on CFA brigades and reducing Gippsland's preparedness for bushfire season.
• Martin Cameron says community safety has declined under Labor amid rising crime and 1500 Victoria Police vacancies
  Nationals and Liberals pledge 3,000 extra Victoria Police officers and restored station hours under Safer Communities Plan, addressing regional crime concerns, vacancies, and policing shortages across Latrobe Valley.
• Danny O’Brien urges AusNet to improve reliability amid Gippsland’s frequent power outages and rising costs
  Danny O’Brien has criticised ongoing Gippsland power outages, urging AusNet to improve reliability as households, farms and businesses face disruptions, rising costs, and increased reliance on expensive diesel generators.
• 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.
• Nicholson Street mall public toilet temporarily closed amid vandalism, anti‑social behaviour and safety concerns
  The Nicholson Street Mall public toilet in Bairnsdale is temporarily closed due to repeated vandalism and anti-social behaviour, with Council working alongside traders, Victoria Police, and stakeholders on safety and revitalisation.