Farmer News
1 June, 2025
Farmers in no position to pay more tax
THE state government is under fire after the release of its new Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund (ESVF), set to be imposed on all Victorians from July 1.
Hundreds of farmers, CFA volunteers and others took to the streets late last month to rally against the new levy, which looks set to place a huge strain on already stretched budgets.
At a time when much of the state of Victoria is in drought and farmers are desperately trying to feed remaining stock, the implementation of a considerable rise in council rates (to collect the ESVF) could send farmers to the wall.
They are also facing high supplementary feed prices, high interest rates, high cost of living pressures and increasing input costs and decreasing land values.
To paint a picture of the current state of the farming sector, there has been record numbers of livestock heading to the saleyards as farmers struggle to pay escalating feed costs in the drought.
We are seeing a huge increase in the numbers of females for slaughter, which will lead to stock shortages in the future as farmers head into the second year of drought conditions.
There have been many reports of bores (which provide water to stock troughs) drying up in south west Victoria.
Wool prices have continued on a downward trajectory, falling by 19 cents per kilo to $1191 cents, leading to a lack of confidence in the industry.
Dairy Farmers Victoria (DFV) held its annual conference in Melbourne last month.
There were serious concerns over the growing financial strain of drought, not just in southwest Victoria but right throughout the state.
And egg farmers have also just been hit by another round of Avian Flu.
This is an all-farming sectors issue. So how can the farming sector, in its current state, cough up additional funds for another government tax?
VFF president Brett Hosking has been scathing in his response to the new tax which, he said, had sparked unity among farmers, firefighters, regional councils, and Victoria’s business community who are all campaigning for it to be dumped.
“This tax is unfair, unnecessary, and completely out of step with what Victorians expect from their government,” Mr Hosking said.
“It’s time for the community to raise its voice and let politicians know they won’t stand for yet another hit to the household and business bottom line.
“This tax has no support, not from the fire services, not from local councils, and not from the people who’ll be forced to pay it.”
Mr Hosking wants accountability, adding that treasurer Jacylyn Symes needed to define the inequity of the tax burden.
“Farmers are going to be slugged a three-fold increase in the Emergency Services Volunteer Fund Tax, while commercial, industrial and residential businesses will be expected to pay a two-fold increase.
“There’s no good reason for such an increase; there’s just not the capacity to pay, especially for those hit by drought.”
Mr Hosking is calling all concerned Victorians to action - contact your local MP’s and voice your concerns, or write letters.
Member for South West Coast, Roma Britnell MP said she had been inundated with calls and texts from distressed farmers and CFA volunteers.
“They are devastated that the Allan Labor Government would treat them with such callous disdain with this rotten tax which singles out primary producers,” Ms Britnell said.
“These hardworking farmers have given their lives to producing food for the wider community. They are being taxed extortionately that will send some out of business.
“As CFA volunteers they have risked their lives to protect others. We will lose both farmers and volunteers from this terrible tax.”
She believes this is the culmination of a decade of disrespect from the Allan Labor Government.
“Volunteers have had a gut full. Consequently, many CFA volunteers and their brigades went offline.
“This levy is a massive new tax. It has a disproportionate burden on farmers with a 59 per cent increase from 2023/24 and a 170 per cent increase from 2024/25.
“It will offer a pittance of an exemption on homes ($109) as a distraction for CFA and VICSES volunteers.”