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Tim Bull slams government’s restrictive, confusing emergency levy exemptions failing CFA volunteers across Gippsland

Tim Bull says the government’s flawed levy exemptions are too complex and restrictive, leaving CFA volunteers frustrated, excluded, and unsupported, and is urging the Minister to simplify the process.

By news@gippsland - 10th November 2025 - Back to News

Gippsland East Nationals MP, Tim Bull, has blasted the Allan Labor government’s hopeless and flawed Emergency Services and Volunteer Fund exemptions for CFA volunteers and said the criteria for eligibility is too restrictive.

Tim Bull pictured at Lakes Entrance CFA, says Labor's Emergency Service and Volunteer Fund exemption pathway is denying volunteers the financial support they’re entitled to due to its restrictive and complex processes

Tim Bull pictured at Lakes Entrance CFA, says Labor's Emergency Service and Volunteer Fund exemption pathway is denying volunteers the financial support they’re entitled to due to its restrictive and complex processes

Volunteer system failures

Mr Bull said, "Like many other things, the State Government has completely made a mess of the process. I recently had a CFA Life Member and volunteer present to my office in pure exasperation. Despite giving much of his life to the CFA he was unable to navigate the complicated on-line process and after seeking help from the CFA head office received no real support - just a list of instructions with an incorrect password.

"He presented it to my office and, after an hour and a half, my staff were able to navigate the process for him. His story is not isolated, and the reality is many volunteers are giving up as it is just too hard," he said.

Supporting volunteer firefighters

Mr Bull said the second area did not have such exclusive criteria. "I have one local brigade captain, who only owns one property, a vacant block of land. He is presently renting and saving to build a home. However, the criteria says the exemption only applies to the principal place of residence, so here is a brigade captain no less, paying the levy on the only property he owns."

"What a way to thank our volunteers. I have asked the Minister to step in and make the process more streamlined and ease the criteria to better support those volunteers who support and protect us year round," Mr Bull said.

Pictures from Tim Bull MP website.


Source: www.gippsland.com

Published by: news@gippsland.com



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