PREMIER Jacinta Allan has been accused of “bleeding the cow until it can’t deliver milk” as anger rises against the State Government’s new emergency services levy.
An exclusive Loddon Herald online poll shows hardly a trace of support for the levy Loddon Shire predicts will add 24 per cent to the rate bills of local farmers.
After five days of voting, just five per cent of respondents had given a tick to the levy that will be double the current fire services tax it will replace from July 1.
The poll result comes as Premier Allan, who is also the member for Bendigo East that includes Serpentine and Dingee, vows to push on with the controversial levy opposed by Loddon Shire councillors, Wedderburn branch of the Victorian Farmers’ Federation and their state peak organisations.
Reader Bruce McCahon says: “Now they bleed the cow until it can’t deliver milk. It’s the same intelligence that bankrupted the state.”
On Ms Allan’s pledge in the Loddon Herald last week to negotiate with Parliament’s crossbench to pass legislation next month, one reader said: “She would. Jacinta is so out of touch.” Janet Jenkins said: Bring on a state election. This is so wrong. Just a money grab for this government; as our beautiful state is going headlong down the gurgler in debt.”
Tania Quin said: “So wrong. We have just seen a farmer last week thinking of leaving his farm because of the (new) levy”
Survey respondent Marilyn Cumming said: “What is wrong with this woman? She doesn’t listen to the people. Why?”
However, Paul Chrystie has backed the levy that will be used to fund the 000 call centre, emergency management agencies as well as the volunteer-based Country Fire Authority and State Emergency Service.
“Keep them accountable for sure, but a targeted charge on rateable properties will generate significant funds from metro areas that will be spent in regions,” he said. “I am happy to pay up to 25 per cent if it is going to emergency services and disaster relief. Better still it will increase volunteer numbers. all taxes aren’t evil. I am happy to pay for better health, education or elderly and disability support services.”
Vote in our poll at 
https://linkto.run/p/FTVSJ8UJ