IT’S a sad reality Victorian farmers, families, and small business owners are once again in the firing line of another poorly conceived government tax proposal, this time the proposed expansion of the emergency services levy.
The Victorian Farmers Federation couldn’t be clearer on our ask of the Victorian Government – immediately abandon the plan to impose a broader Fire Services Property Levy and instead commit to real reform which delivers fairness, transparency, and long-term sustainability.
Farmers and regional Victorians already pay our fair share.
From land taxes to rates and everything in between, the financial burden on households and regional communities has steadily increased.
Now, with this new tax proposal, the government is doubling down and ignoring community concerns and delivering an unnecessary hit to those who can least afford it, all without a clear promise of improved emergency services.
This latest tax grab is unjustified and deeply out of touch, and here at the VFF we’re not the only ones saying it.
Opposition to the proposal is widespread.
Firefighters, particularly the volunteer CFA members who form the backbone of regional fire response don’t support it. Nor do businesses, local councils, or everyday Victorians.
At the heart of the issue is a levy system already failing. The Fire Services Property Levy, introduced with the promise of fairness and simplicity, has instead become opaque, unpredictable, and, in many cases, unfair – especially for regional landowners who receive fewer services, yet foot disproportionately large bills.
Rather than expanding this broken system, the government must take a step back and fix it.
The VFF is advocating for meaningful reform.
We need a system which protects ratepayers from levy spikes, creates predictability, and ensures equity across the board.
First and foremost, we need a cap on how much the Fire Services Property Levy can increase year-on-year.
Just as local councils are bound by rate capping tied to the consumer price index, so too should the fire levy be capped.
Victorians deserve certainty, not year-to-year surprises which threaten family budgets and farm viability.
Secondly, the government must protect property owners from “levy shock” – the sudden and extreme increases that come from fluctuating land valuations.
A single revaluation can send a fire levy bill skyrocketing, even when no actual increase in services is delivered.
An individual capping mechanism is a common-sense solution which prevents these abrupt and painful jumps in charges.
Third, the entire classification and rate-setting process needs a complete overhaul.
The current system doesn’t adequately reflect the different levels of service between urban and rural communities.
Regional landowners often pay significantly more in levies despite receiving far fewer emergency services.
That imbalance must be addressed through a comprehensive review that brings equity back into the equation.
And finally, it’s time the government followed through on its commitment to support CFA volunteers, many of whom are farmers themselves.
These individuals give their time, resources, and energy selflessly to protect our communities.
Providing a levy rebate for CFA volunteers isn’t just a financial gesture, it’s a statement of respect and recognition for the vital work they do.
The government’s proposed expansion of the emergency services tax isn’t just tone-deaf – it’s counterproductive.
It threatens to erode trust, disproportionately impacts those in rural and regional Victoria, and ignores the very real issues within the existing levy system.
Scrapping the expanded tax and delivering genuine reform isn’t just the right thing to do, it’s the smart thing.
So, what can you do?
We need your help to stop by voicing your concerns to decision makers.
We’re asking you to use the letter template supplied on our website and send it to your local member of Parliament to voice your concerns.
More details can be found at vff.org.au.
Together, let’s make them hear our voices and stop this terrible cash-grab in its tracks.
Brett Hosking,
President, Victorian Farmers Federation
