Thousands of CFA volunteers and farmers gathered in Melbourne on state budget day. The protest targeted the government’s new emergency services tax. The Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund (ESVF) sparked the backlash.
Figure 1: Spring Street swarming with CFA volunteers on Tuesday morning
New Fire Truck Triggers Concern
Corop West CFA captain Toby Acocks said his station did not request the new truck it is set to receive. He first heard of the allocation on ABC radio.
“Myself, our group officer, our district commander, knew nothing of it,” Mr Acocks said. He claimed Spring Street officials likely picked a brigade at random.
“We’re probably a brigade that would happily upgrade to a hand-me-down from a bigger brigade and let someone else have a brand new one. There’s definitely other brigades that need new trucks before we do,” he said.
Volunteers Voice Disbelief
Mr Acocks said volunteers felt frustrated but none had resigned over the issue. “To resign is really penalising the community we’re trying to service rather than penalising the government,” he said.
State Government Defends the Levy
A Victorian government spokesperson said the ESVF would strengthen emergency services funding.
“These changes will give emergency services the funding and equipment they need as they face natural disasters, which are happening more often and becoming more destructive,” the spokesperson said.
They added, “Every single dollar raised by this new fund will support our emergency services, helping them to keep communities safe year-round.”
Figure 3: CFA Firefighters and Volunteers outside the parliament
Lack of Consultation Sparks Criticism
Mr Acocks criticised the process of truck allocations. “You would have thought that the district commanders and the likes would have some input as to where they get allocated,” he said.
The government said allocations were based on CFA operational data. Brigades in Corop West, Darraweit Guim, Barmah, Erica, Lubeck, Goroke, Crowlands, Modewarre, Kawarren and Moe South are among the first recipients.
Farmers Decry Levy Increases
Farmers said the levy would cause financial pressure. Elmore farmer Eliza Ayres travelled to Melbourne to protest.
“I am here because I don’t know any farmer who can actually afford this,” she said. She added, “Our prices have tripled over the past five years but our revenue has not, so basically we can’t afford this levy.”
David Johnson, also from Elmore, criticised the tax. “Bloody hell, how many charities or organisations do you know where the volunteers have to pay to be volunteers? It’s not on,” he said.
He also remarked, “They criticise Scott Morrison saying he doesn’t know how to hold a hose, well I reckon the Premier better learn how to hold a hose.”
Figure 4: Eliza Ayres says farmers cannot afford to pay the emergency services tax
Councils to Collect the Levy
The new fund replaces the fire services levy and aims to raise more revenue for CFA, SES and emergency operations. Councils will collect it through rates, with varying amounts depending on property types.
The government said volunteers could apply for a rebate on their primary residence. Mr Acocks expressed concerns.
“From our understanding it’s only a rebate on your primary residence — most operators in regional Victoria are going to have more than one rates notice,” he said.
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Rebate Details Remain Unknown
The government has not released rebate terms. Officials plan to publish details in July. Regional councils had already lobbied the government earlier this year. They urged changes to the new fund’s structure.
Rural Communities Fear Financial Impact
The levy will impact all Victorian ratepayers, but rural landowners face the steepest increases. Farmers warned it could mean paying tens of thousands more each year.
Protesters said the burden would unfairly fall on volunteers and regional workers who already support emergency services.
Emergency Services Need Support
Despite criticism, the government maintains the ESVF is crucial. They argued it would improve service readiness and help communities during worsening natural disasters.
CFA volunteers and farmers said they support better emergency funding. However, they want a system that listens to those on the ground.
Protesters said they would continue to push back against the levy. They called for fair funding solutions that value their contributions.
