THE STATE Government has been accused of continuing to mislead Victorians on cuts to emergency services as the impact of the cruel emergency services tax looms.
Premier Jacinta Allan in Parliament on Tuesday declared the tax is “all about providing more support to our fire and emergency services’’.
But Nationals leader Danny O’Brien said that claim was in stark contrast with reality, as budget cuts to the Country Fire Authority, State Emergency Service and Fire Rescue Victoria revealed by the Treasurer in a Government Gazette.
“The Allan Labor Government is taking more under the $3 billion emergency services tax and giving less to frontline services,” he said.
“Despite constant questioning in the past two months, the Government has refused to acknowledge the cuts.”
“That tax is all about filling budget black holes and propping up backroom executives, not supporting the frontline services.”
The Coalition has promised the tax, opposed by Loddon Shire, would be repealed if it wins next year’s state election.
“It will be consigned to history, where it belongs” Mr O’Brien said.