Council
29 May, 2025
Coalition will scrap the levy, Kealy vows
LOWAN MP Emma Kealy has joined the chorus of voices slamming the Victorian Government’s Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund (ESVF).
Ms Kealy attended last Tuesday’s Spring Street protest, joining thousands of Country Fire Authority (CFA) volunteers standing against the proposed tax which is due to take effect in July.
She said the Nationals and Liberals had vowed to scrap the levy which will see Victorians slugged with an additional $765 million in costs each year.
Ms Kealy said it was incredible to stand with hundreds of people from the local area, many of them CFA volunteers, to make a stand.
“It is absolutely reprehensible that Labor would use the hard-earned money of our local people – especially those who voluntarily risk their lives to protect others during emergencies – to pay for its own financial mismanagement and spiralling debt,” she said.
“What’s worse is that Labor is hitting people with this tax during a cost-of-living crisis, and when farmers are battling drought with next to no government support.
“It is just cruel.
“The Nationals and Liberals have committed to scrapping this tax and returning to the simpler, fairer Fire Services Property Levy – a model that funds fire services transparently, without punishing homeowners, renters, farmers and volunteers.
“We will also ensure the State Emergency Services has the funding it needs to support our communities.”
Ms Kealy said last Tuesday’s rally made it “overwhelmingly clear that communities rejected Labor’s heartless cash grab” which will see some property owners face a charge increase of up to 150 per cent.
The commitment to scrapping the tax was made during last week’s protest where Ms Kealy, The Nationals deputy leader, joined a host of opposition MPs.
“I thank the incredible emergency services volunteers for the amazing work they do and for standing strong in their communities,” she said.
“We will continue to stand side by side with them and our communities.”
Ms Kealy encouraged anyone who hadn’t already to sign The Nationals’ ‘Scrap The Tax’ petition at scrapthetax.com.au.
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