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Martin Cameron says new emergency services tax replaces fire levy, adding enormous pressure to struggling small businesses

Latrobe Valley small businesses face soaring costs as Labor's new Emergency Services Tax replaces the Fire Services Levy, with Nationals warning it punishes regional communities and fuels insolvencies amid financial mismanagement.

By news@gippsland - 24th September 2025 - Back to News

Small businesses in the Latrobe Valley have been dealt another blow as the Allan Labor government's Emergency Services Tax is rolled out with council rates notices across the region. The Nationals' Member for Morwell, Martin Cameron, said the tax - which replaces the previous Fire Services Property Levy - was an enormous impost on small businesses.

Martin Cameron condemned Labor's new Emergency Services Tax, calling it an unfair burden on struggling small businesses already facing soaring costs, insolvencies, and skyrocketing state debt

Crippling business costs

Mr Cameron said, "Our local, hard-working small business community is already struggling under the weight of skyrocketing WorkCover premiums, soaring payroll tax, and record-high power bills. This tax is yet another cruel blow that small businesses are being forced to absorb, all because Labor can't manage money and is racing towards an eye-watering debt of $194 million by 2028."

"One business owner contacted me last week to report they had received an Emergency Services Tax bill of $12,200, up from $5,700 last year. It's no wonder businesses are shutting in record numbers, and there was a staggering 48 per cent increase in insolvencies last financial year alone - proving the cost of doing business in Victoria is far too high under Labor," Mr Cameron said.

Ending Labor's levy

Concerns remain about administration of the Emergency Services Tax, with Labor forcing local councils to collect the tax without clear information on how the funds will be used. "Most of the money won't support frontline emergency services or volunteers, but will fill gaps in government budgets," Mr Cameron said.

The Nationals have committed to scrapping the Emergency Services Tax and reinstating the Fire Services Property Levy to ensure emergency services funding is fair, accountable, and does not punish regional communities.

"Regional Victorians deserve fair treatment, not to be burdened with Labor's ongoing tax hikes because of its own financial mismanagement," Mr Cameron said. Labor can't manage money, and Victorians are paying the price.

Pictures from Martin Cameron MP website.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com