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.