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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