General News
14 June, 2026
Irate firies ramping up emergency tax fight.
VOLUNTEER firefighters and farmers from across the Loddon are expected to join a major protest against the State Government’s controversial emergency services tax on today.
VOLUNTEER firefighters and farmers from across the Loddon are expected to join a major protest against the State Government’s controversial emergency services tax on Sunday.
CFA Volunteers Group is ramping up opposition to the tax introduced by the State Government last year.
It is the first protest in the region this year but follows major demonstrations in Melbourne and Bendigo when the Government doubled and renamed the former fire services levy.
While farmers were granted a temporary 24-month reprieve, businesses and home owners were slugged with the tax on their council rate notices.
Several local fire brigades this week received the first of a new batch of protest placards to be place on roadside fences across the Loddon Shire.
Placards have also been erected in neighbouring districts.
Sunday’s rally has been dubbed “Scrap The Tax with Your Vote.”
CFAVG says the rally comes amid ongoing community anger over the Emergency Services Volunteer Fund with many regional Victorians continuing to oppose the levy and the impact it has had on households, farmers, businesses and regional communities.
President John Houston said the issue had not gone away and that many people in country Victoria remain deeply frustrated.
“The Government may think this issue is behind them, but the bush is still angry,”; Mr Houston said.
“People feel they have not been listened to. They are tired of being told what is good for them while paying more and receiving less transparency.
“This rally is about sending a message that regional communities have not forgotten. “We intend to take this issue all the way to the ballot box. (at November’s state election).”
Mr Houston said the rally was not about opposing emergency services funding.
“CFA volunteers support properly funding emergency services. We support new trucks, better equipment, improved stations and stronger support for volunteers,” he said.
“What we don’t support is an unfair tax carrying the name of volunteers, a lack of transparency around where every dollar goes, and a government that refuses to listen to legitimate concerns from country Victoria”
CFAVG expects CFA volunteers and brigades from across Victoria to travel to Bendigo in organised convoys, demonstrating the depth of concern that continues to exist throughout regional and rural communities.
It says strong attendance is also expected from farmers, small business owners, regional residents and members of the general public who share concerns regarding the ESVF and broader issues affecting country Victoria.
Read More: Loddon Shire