The Liberals and Nationals will scrap Labor’s Emergency Services tax in government.
Ms Bath told state parliament tax that the unjustifiable tax will rip $3 billion over four years from Victorian families, farmers, and small businesses under the guise of supporting emergency services.
Labor’s new tax has doubled, even tripled charges for property owners across the state, with primary producers hit hardest – facing rate hikes of up to 150 per cent.
Ms Bath said under Labor’s changes, all Victorian property owners will pay more but it is a misconception that the money collected will go to frontline services.
“The extra revenue will not increase support emergency service volunteers – it goes towards funding agencies that used to be funded through existing taxes.
Ms Bath said Labor’s 60th new or increased tax would hurt every Victorian ratepayer.
“But it is our farmers, many of whom are also CFA volunteers, SES members, and first responders, who will be punished most by a 150 per cent increase.
“To hit regional communities while they are already battling drought and cost-of-living pressures is unconscionable.
“Labor’s claims farmers who are emergency services volunteers are exempt is misleading – the devil is in the detail, exemptions are only applied to a farmers’ primary place of residence, not the entire property.”
Under a Liberals and Nationals Government, tax will be scrapped, and the Fire Services Property Levy will be restored.
“Reinstating the Fire Services Property Levy will reverse the major rate increases our regional communities are facing and ensure the funds raised are going directly to our volunteer brigades.
“Funding for the SES and core government services should be delivered transparently through the State Budget – not buried in household rates.
“I want to thank the incredible emergency services volunteers and farmers who rallied twice on the steps of Parliament and locally, to voice their discontent and stand up for their community.”
