THE message from farmers and CFA volunteers was made clear on Tuesday, 20 May as over 5000 protestors used emergency vehicles to block the Spring and Bourke Streets intersection outside Parliament House to protest the state government’s new emergency services levy.
A cavalcade of over 100 CFA fire trucks and other emergency vehicles from all over the state had slowed major arterial freeways and roads into Melbourne that morning to bring the new levy to the attention of Melbourne residents and the government.
Mansfield Shire Mayor Cr Steve Rabie attended the rally with Deputy Mayor Cr James Tehan and did not mince words in taking aim at the government’s lack of communication with councils before the levy’s announcement.
“At no time was there any prior consultation,” Cr Rabie said.
“There was zero consultation - I think that is disgraceful in the least.”
Latest Stories
Cr Rabie said the shire had been ‘very loud’ with its message.
“We oppose this massive increase at this time, when there’s a drought on, when there’s a cost-of-living crisis and when there is mental stress.
“Everybody will be affected by this tax.
“You can’t increase a levy by 189 per cent and not expect people to jump up and down.”
Cr Rabie also said almost all councils meeting through Rural Councils Victoria and the Municipal Association of Victoria were opposed to the government’s expectation for councils to collect the levy.
“The State Revenue Office should be collecting this state government tax and not the local governments,” he said.
“We absolutely oppose the collection of this because it’s not only going to be a cost shift for the shire but also a reputational shift onto us as well.
“Local government is the only level of government with a front desk, and our staff in the rates office and those on the front desk, they will get hammered.
“I have a responsibility for (staff) welfare, and I am worried that they will most probably receive angry calls and have angry people coming in.”
Liberal and Nationals leaders Brad Battin and Danny O’Brien told the rally that a coalition government would repeal the levy legislation if elected in 18 months-time.
“We will ensure that we will cancel this tax,” Mr Battin said.
“We will guarantee you that we will scrap it once and for all and hand that money back to Victorians.”
CFA group officer Pat Millear from Westmere addressed the crowd and listed off all fires attended to by volunteers since Black Saturday 2009 when all of Victoria’s units were in service.
He commended those present for their duty.
“You never complain and never get paid; you are on call 24 hours a day and seven days a week,” Mr Millear said.
“You never seek accolades you just go about doing your job of saving lives and property, and at the very least what you want and what you need is support from your government.
“You don’t want to be used as a shield to raise money to retire debt.”
He said it was not the responsibility of those present to be off duty with their service vehicles to attend the protest.
“It’s the state government’s choice to leave the state unprotected, it’s not ours,” Mr Millear said.
“We are all out, just like you will be next election.”
Glenburn farmer and CFA volunteer of 45 years David Webb-Ware said his main concern had not been answered either at the rally or by the government.
“The one question I didn’t hear answered today is not answered because nobody can give an answer,” Mr Webb-Ware said.
“And that is: why have farmers been given a higher percentage increase than in any other category?"
Mr Webb-Ware said the current government was treating regional Victoria with ‘utter contempt’.
“They are not worried about anything that doesn’t give them a vote.
“It’s a cost that I don’t want to have to pay, another ten thousand.
“Clearly, I think we obviously need to fund the fire emergency services but not by using a new tax."
Mr Webb-Ware said the levy would impact his bottom line, regardless of seasonal success.
“It’ll just mean the profitability of the farm will be lower or else it will increase my loss.”
Mansfield Deputy Mayor and CFA volunteer James Tehan said local opposition to the levy was unlike anything he had seen before in the bush and that the levy had come at a bad time for farmers.
“I have been farming for 40 years and I have never seen such feeling like this,” Cr Tehan said.
“And I have never seen a drought like this too, so for the government to bring in something like this at this time, to affect farmers (by costing) three or even four-fold including the last three years is an absolute disgrace.”
Cr Tehan said one farm he knew of would be paying $45,000 for the levy on top of $59,000 in increased rates.
“That’s a family they can employ which they won’t and so that farmer takes on the onus of the work he should not be doing and is wearing himself out, putting himself in danger.
“This government has no sympathy to anyone in that respect.
“They just care about their votes in the city.”
Cr Tehan said the state treasurer had betrayed her grass roots.
“Jaclyn, I thought you were ok; you came from Benalla you’re a good country girl, but you’ve turned your back on the country, and you should feel ashamed of yourself.”
