Victorian Volunteer Firefighters Walk Off the Job as State Enacts New Tax

A planned tax change meant to fund emergency services has caused a stir in Victoria.

a Firetruck is seen arriving at AAMI Park in Melbourne, Australia, on Jan. 3, 2020. Kelly Defina/Getty Images

Volunteer firefighters in regional Victoria stepped down on May 15 as state parliament enacted a new emergency services levy.

There were reports of firefighters leaving their posts in regional communities on the night of May 15 when state MPs were debating on the bill, set to come into effect on July 1.

The legislation passed in the early morning of May 16, after the state Labor government struck a deal with crossbenchers to secure their support.

Under the law change, the current Fire Services Property Levy will be replaced by the Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund (ESVF), which will apply to other emergency and disaster bodies, including the State Emergency Service.

Country Fire Authority Acting Chief Officer Garry Cook said the service was investigating whether the actions of volunteer firefighters the previous night were a protest against the new levy.

“The word strike, I probably wouldn’t use that,” Cook told ABC Radio on May 16.

“But what we’ve done is had brigades book themselves off by saying that (they have) a shortage of crews available to respond.”

Levy to Raise Billions, But Sparks Backlash

At the same time, residential homeowners and primary producers are expected to pay an extra $63 (US$40) and $678 per year, respectively.

Initially, the Victorian government expected to raise an extra $2.14 billion over the next three financial years with the new tax.

However, some concessions made by Labor in negotiations with crossbenchers are likely to reduce the revenue the state receives.

The Victorian government said the new levy would ensure emergency services receive “what they need” to respond to disasters, including upgrades to essential equipment.

However, the United Firefighters Union has rejected the government’s argument, accusing it of using volunteer firefighters as cover for a new tax.

“I’m not an economist. But this [levy] comes up on land tax, property tax, COVID tax. This is just another tax,” United Firefighters Union Secretary Peter Marshall told The Epoch Times.

“It’s disgusting that they [Allan government] try to hide behind the goodwill and good name the community has for emergency service workers, to raise money to retire debt. That is so disingenuous.”

Meanwhile, Victorian Treasurer Jaclyn Symes has denied that the new levy would disproportionately impact farmers compared to other groups.

In addition, she said volunteer fighters would not be affected by the change.

“I don’t think it’s got through to everyone that if you’re a (CFA) volunteer, you’re exempt from this levy,” Symes said.

“Many farmers are also CFA volunteers. So there will be many, many farmers who are also volunteers who will not be paying the levy.”

Victoria’s Debt Problem

The levy comes amid intensifying scrutiny of the Victorian government’s public finances.

The state has become the most indebted state in Australia, driven by large-scale infrastructure and COVID-19 measures.

In the most recent budget update, the state was projected to incur a $3.6 billion deficit in 2024–25, up from a $2.2 billion deficit in the previous forecast.

Victoria’s net debt is also expected to grow from $133.2 billion on June 30, 2024, to $187.3 billion by  June 30, 2028.

The significant debt has prompted the state Labor government to impose heavier taxes on homeowners and businesses.