Politics & Council
19 July, 2026
Fire tax fight far from over
COMMUNITIES have been urged not to give up the fight a year after the State Government’s emergency services tax was introduced.
COMMUNITIES have been urged not to give up the fight a year after the State Government’s emergency services tax was introduced.
“Farmers and some other rural landholders are currently benefiting from a levy waiver, which makes it feel like this issue has gone away,” Rural Councils Victoria Chair Cr Rob Amos said.
“But that’s just an election-year fix so the government can sidestep community angst.” “Labor remains committed to imposing this bad tax in full if it wins the election.”
“The dragon isn’t dead, it’s just sleeping,” Cr Amos warned.
Unless the law is changed, regional and rural Victorians could once again face substantial increases when temporary waivers and carve outs expire.
Rural councils, including Loddon Shire, have asked the Government to go back to the drawing board and design a levy that spreads the responsibility of raising funds for the CFA and other emergency service bodies more fairly.
The Coalition and One Nation have pledged to scrap the tax in its current form. However, neither political group has detailed its alternative funding model for emergency services.
Cr Amos said that whoever wins in November, the tax would need to be revisited. “The problem is not fixed. It’s just been kicked into the long grass,” Cr Amos said.
“Everybody agrees our emergency services should be funded properly.”
“But that money must also be raised fairly and sustainably.”
Read More: Loddon Shire