The Nationals’ Member for Eastern Victoria, Melina Bath, has condemned the Allan Labor Government for misleading regional Victorians by delaying it for farmers, not abandoning its unpopular emergency services tax for all until after the state election.
Ms Bath warned locals not to be fooled by Labor’s announcement, saying the tax has not been scrapped, only shelved for political convenience with the election less than a year away.
“This is a desperate Labor Government trying to stall and soften the growing backlash in regional communities.
“Make no mistake – Labor fully intends to push ahead with this multibillion dollar tax grab.”
Under Labor’s plan, farmers will face massive levy increases, while rental providers and renters will be slugged with a new fixed charge adding pressure during a cost of living crisis.
Ms Bath said the reality is Labor’s latest farmer reprieve is a grab for headlines – the emergency services tax exemption only applies to a farmer’s principal place of residence, not the entire farm, which is often held on separate titles.
“This announcement is not a genuine recognition of financial pressures on our farming families and local businesses who are doing it tough.
“It is not about fairness, it’s political games as Labor is desperate to secure another four years in office.
“Only The Nationals in government will scrap the tax, reinstate the previous Fire Services Property Levy model and better fund our CFA and SES.
“The Nationals stand firmly with regional Victorians and are 100 per cent committed to abolishing Labor’s unfair tax to ensure our communities are not used as Labor’s cash cow.”
