Business & Rural
15 December, 2025
Tax hike ‘delay’ adds fuel to fight by firies, farmers
A 12-MONTH delay in the State Government hitting farmers with a 150 per cent hike in the controversial emergency services tax had failed to quell rural anger.
A 12-MONTH delay in the State Government hitting farmers with a 150 per cent hike in the controversial emergency services tax had failed to quell rural anger.
CFA volunteers and the Victorian Farmers’ Federation have vowed to continue their fight until the tax introduced on July 1 is abolished.
The Government used a Friday update on its Budget in Melbourne to extend the hit on farmers until 2027 - after next November’s election. Homes and businesses are already paying a higher tax.
“This is a money grab for the State Government to fill the black hole they’ve caused and delaying it by however long isn’t going to change anything,” said local CFA volunteer Barry Batters who has been on the frontline of rallies against the tax the Government is forcing local municipal councils to collect for the State Revenue Office.
“This tax is supposed to support emergency services; our firies, our life savers, to improve their services. But it’s clearly not going to the right place. This will effect everyone.”
Victorian Farmers’ Federation president Brett Hosking, to who witnessed local anger first-hand at a St Arnaud branch meeting in July, said the VFF had been “relentlessly taking to the State Government” to have the tax dropped.
He estimated each farmer would “save” an average $10,000 by not being hit with the 150 per cent increase next year.
“Let’s hope this is a sign that the Government sees value in the voices of regional Victoria,” Mr Hosking said.
Brigades from across the St Arnaud, Charlton and broader North Central region have taken their protests to Bendigo, Ballarat and Parliament House in Melbourne where the Coalition made an election commitment to axe the tax.
CFA Volunteers’ Group secretary Leigh Harry said on Friday: “The State Government’s decision to extend the ESVF tax exemption and rate increase for another 12 months is a win we’ve fought for on behalf of CFA volunteers, farmers and rural communities.
“But let’s be clear: this last minute announcement, timed before an election and conveniently pushing the tax beyond it, raises concerns,” Mr Harry said. “Many Victorians see this as tactical timing, designed to quiet unrest rather than fix the underlying problems.
“And despite the extension, far too many volunteers and landholders are still being left behind.
“There’s another concern that we cannot ignore - if the Allan Government is re-elected, they may claim a mandate to continue or even expand the ESVF tax, given that the levy is now delayed until voters go to the polls.
“Our message is simple – fairness shouldn’t be temporary, selective or politically timed.
“The CFA Volunteer’s Group has pushed relentlessly for real, lasting reform, and this extension only happened because volunteers, farmers and rural communities stood together and demanded better.
“We will keep fighting until every CFA volunteer and rural property owner gets the recognition and support they deserve – without political games.”
The Government’s announcement included increasing the volunteer rebate cap for farmland from $5 million of $10 million of CIV and a delay to the change for investment properties by 12 months.
Questions on whether the Government would start new talks with local government, VFF and other rural stakeholders and details of the rebate increase were not answered after inquiries to the Government.
All 79 Victorian councils have opposed the tax.
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