The Nationals’ Member for Morwell, Martin Cameron, has taken aim at the Allan Labor Government for betraying regional Victorians with a “heartless and insidious cash grab” disguised as a new emergency services levy.
During a marathon sitting in Parliament that concluded at 2am on Friday, Labor struck a dirty deal with the Greens and Animal Justice parties to pass legislation that will hurt regional Victorians most.
Under the new Emergency Services and Volunteer Fund, which was vehemently opposed by The Nationals, farmers will pay up to 150 per cent more than under the previous levy.
“Not only will farmers be hit hard, but the tax for all households and commercial properties will double, the tax for industrial land will go up 64 per cent, and new tax charges will be passed on to renters, driving up the cost of living for every person in Victoria,” Mr Cameron said.
“And don’t be fooled by the name – this money will not go back into our CFAs and regional communities; it will go straight into government coffers to fund core services because Labor is up to its eyeballs in debt.
“There are fire stations that are not fit-for-purpose, like the Hazelwood North CFA, that have been crying out for new facilities so they can continue to defend our communities – that’s where this money should go.”
United Firefighters Union Secretary Peter Marshall was among those who joined The Nationals in the public gallery in Parliament last week to oppose the legislation.
“For the UFU and Fire Rescue Victoria to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with us in rejecting this tax says everything about how deeply flawed it is,” Mr Cameron said.
“This tax has been loudly and clearly rejected — by the UFU, FRV, farmers, local councils, and everyday Victorians – and yet Labor still forged ahead.
“What will it take for this government to listen? When will they start caring more about the people of Victoria than their own political survival?
“We’ve got CFA trucks going offline in protest and long-time volunteers threatening to walk away. This is the real-world impact of Labor’s reckless, heartless decision.
“Labor can’t manage money, it can’t manage taxes, and regional Victorians are paying the price.”
