HUNDREDS of Victorian farmers and volunteer firefighters have Premier Jacinta Allan in their sights for an election ding-dong in 2026.
Prostesters against her government’s controversial emergency services tax on Sunday vowed to take their fight up to the member for Bendigo East at the election.
Farmers are bracing for massive hikes in their rate bills next July.
Three generations of the Punton family from Woodstock West were among the protest rally crowd on Sunday.
Belinda Punton said rates on the land farmed by three generations of the family would jump at least $50,000.
“How do we pay that? We’re already working seven days a week ... we’ll just have to some how work harder. This new tax is unfair.”
The Puntons were in a group of Loddon farmers who had their tractors in the protest convoy that later weaved its way into the centre of Bendigo.
Bianca and Brett Collins of Bridgewater North brought in six tractors. More than 100 fire trucks ringed Weerona Oval. CFA units from Pyramid Hill, Dingee, Powlett, Bridgewater, Rheola and Woodstock West among them.
Loddon Shire Mayor Dan Straub was among the crowd addressed by Marong captain and rally organiser Michael Shay who earlier this year initiated an emergency services appreciation round at Loddon Valley and North Central league matches.
Inglewood Ward councillor Miki Wilson and husband Ken Collins were part of the tractor contingent, their farm workhorse with the sign “Jacinta = Judas”.
The Government gave farmers a 12-month reprieve from the tax as part of drought assistance measures.
Premier Allan has said the new levy will apply to them from next year with Loddon Shire modelling showing farmers faced a 25 per increased on the total rates bill. The Goernment has mandated councils collect the tax