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Greens and animal justice back Labor's tax, slammed as cash grab by Tim Bull

Tim Bull has slammed Labor's new Emergency Services tax as a cash grab, warning it hits farmers hard and fuels debt, despite fierce opposition from CFA volunteers and regional communities.

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

After debate until 2am Friday, the Greens and Animal Justice Party supported Labor's new Emergency Services and Volunteer Fund, which Nationals Gippsland East MP, Tim Bull, described as nothing more than a cash grab to prop up a state government that cannot manage money.

Tim Bull said Labor's minor amendments mask a major tax shift, freeing up funds to cover soaring debt and interest repayments forecast to reach $197 billion

Crushing new tax

Mr Bull said, "It is hugely concerning on two fronts. The first is it will hit homeowners, renters, businesses and most of all our farmers very hard financially and the second, is what deal was done with the Greens and Animal Justice Party to get their support. There were some late amendments that were really only tinkering around the edges of what is a cash grab to prop up next week's budget due to Labor's financial mismanagement."

"The reality is the new services to be funded, like the State Emergency Service and Triple Zero, were always funded out of consolidated revenue. What they are doing here is striking a massive new tax that pays for these services and also the CFA and Fire Rescue Victoria that frees up general revenue funds to pay their debt."

"This is a debt that is forecast to hit $197 billion with interest repayments alone of $1m per hour and $1 billion every six weeks. Despite fierce opposition from the Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF), the Country Fire Authority (CFA) and farmers across the state, Labor, with the help of their lefty crossbench mates, forced it through," Mr Bull said.

Unfair rural burden

Mr Bull said this tax would rip nearly $4.5 million in new taxes out of East Gippsland Shire alone, a region that was still recovering from bushfires and Covid back to back from 2020-2022. "To show how heartless this government is, farmers in drought affected areas were pleading for respite and the government's answer was to reduce (temporarily) the increase on farmers from a 190% rise to a 150% rise - and they expect them to be grateful."

In response to the decision, over 200 CFA brigades immediately took themselves offline as a protest. The CFA volunteers, Fire Rescue Victoria staff and SES members have all been involved in the protest action. "They can see this for what it is and are outraged, but if you listen to Jacinta Allan she is 'doing it for them'. Labor MPs have also been caught on video opposing the tax locally but then voting for it in the chamber."

"The question has already been asked about what we will do if elected next year, and it is a reasonable query. The reality is, this is the 60th new or increased tax we have and, despite this, the government is still going down the gurgler financially, so no doubt there will be more to come," he said.

Stop unfair taxes

Mr Bull added, "We will need to look at all these new taxes and yes, some will be repealed in full, some will be partially repealed and some will have to be changed to be made fairer, but the concern is that in 18 months' time many are likely to be propping up a State Budget that is on life support due to Labor's horrendous financial management."

"It is right that people have some clarity before the polls and that will be provided, but in the first instance, we have to stop them hitting our hip pockets any more, particularly those who cannot afford it," said Mr Bull.

Pictures from Tim Bull MP Facebook page.

Source: www.gippsland.com

Published by: news@gippsland.com