Victoria Temporarily Backs Down on ‘Emergency Services’ Levy After Hundreds Protest
The levy was supposed to charge farmers an extra 100 to 200 percent.
Thousands of farmers and Country Fire Authority (CFA) volunteer firefighters gather outside Victoria's State Parliament to protest against the government's new emergency services tax, in Melbourne, Australia on May 20, 2025. William West/AFP via Getty Images
The Allan Labor government has backed down on a controversial new tax, instead opting to make temporary concessions after hundreds of firefighters and farmers protested on the steps of parliament.
On May 30, the government announced it would charge a reduced Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund (ESVF) levy for primary producers in 24 councils across Victoria for the 2025-26 financial year.
Alfred Bui
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Alfred Bui is an Australian reporter based in Melbourne and focuses on local and business news. He is a former small business owner and has two master’s degrees in business and business law. Contact him at [email protected].
