‘Wrong on so many levels’: Victorian emergency services tax on farmers ‘has to go’

Key Concepts

• Emergency Services Volunteer Levy: A proposed tax on farmers and landowners in Victoria to fund bushfire fighting efforts.
• Consolidated Revenue: Public funds collected by a government from various sources (taxes, fees, etc.) used to fund public services.
• Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF): The peak body representing farmers and agricultural businesses in Victoria.
• Farmland Preservation: The importance of protecting agricultural land from competing land uses like renewable energy infrastructure and mining.
• Rural Community Investment: The need for government investment in services and infrastructure in rural areas (childcare, school buses, policing).

Victorian Emergency Services Levy Pause & Rural Concerns

The Victorian government has paused its controversial emergency services volunteer levy for two years due to significant backlash from farmers and a strong campaign led by the Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF). This levy proposed charging farmers and landowners to contribute to the funding of bushfire fighting services. The VFF argues that emergency services should be funded from consolidated revenue, meaning contributions from all Victorians, rather than placing a specific financial burden on those already volunteering their time and resources.

As stated by the VFF representative, Brett, “It is wrong on so many levels…to be putting extra tax on them is wrong.” He emphasized the personal costs already borne by volunteers – time, finances, and leaving their businesses – to protect the state. The VFF is actively lobbying for the complete removal of the levy, positioning it as a key election issue in rural Victoria this year. A commitment to abolish the levy before the election is what farming communities will be looking for from both major parties.

Pressure on Victorian Farmland & Economic Contribution

Beyond the levy, the VFF is highlighting increasing pressure on Victoria’s critical farmland. Despite comprising only 2-3% of Australia’s total farmland, Victorian farms produce a quarter of the nation’s food and fiber. The VFF is concerned about government policies that prioritize infrastructure development – transmission lines, solar panels, wind turbines, and critical minerals mines – on valuable agricultural land.

Brett articulated this concern, stating, “We need to put a value on that farmland. We need to look at the land as something that’s vital, a national treasure to our community.” He underscored the economic importance of Victorian farms, noting their revenue generation, employment provision, support for rural communities, and leading role in sustainability and emissions reduction. He questioned the logic of “punishing” farmers who are already contributing significantly to the state.

Active Lobbying & Election Priorities

The VFF is engaged in active discussions with all sides of government – the Allan government, the opposition led by Jess Wilson, and even minor parties like the Greens and the Animal Justice Party – to convey their concerns and seek commitments. The VFF is open to dialogue with anyone willing to listen and advocate for rural Victoria.

The organization is advocating for broader investment in rural communities, including improved childcare access, school bus services, increased policing to address farm activism, and investment in low-carbon liquid fuel plants to drive the national economy. The VFF is seeking a party willing to “stick their neck out” and demonstrate strong support for rural Victoria and its farmers.

Logical Connections & Synthesis

The conversation highlights a clear connection between the proposed levy and a broader pattern of perceived disregard for the contributions and challenges faced by Victorian farmers. The levy is presented not as an isolated issue, but as a symptom of a larger problem: a lack of appreciation for the vital role of agriculture and rural communities in the state’s economy and well-being. The VFF’s lobbying efforts are strategically focused on leveraging the upcoming election to secure commitments that address both the immediate issue of the levy and the long-term needs of rural Victoria.

The main takeaway is that the Victorian government’s pause on the emergency services levy represents a temporary victory for farmers, but the VFF is determined to secure a permanent solution and broader policy changes that recognize and support the crucial role of agriculture in Victoria. The upcoming election will be pivotal in determining the future of rural communities and the sustainability of Victorian farming.