Farmers to be spared fire tax increase after months of backlash

Sydney Morning Herald

4 days ago

Victorian farmers will be temporarily spared an increase to the contentious emergency services and volunteers levy, with the Allan government pausing an increase amid a backlash and ongoing drought concerns.
Premier Jacinta Allan also announced further drought relief while speaking in Ballan on Friday morning.
The decision comes after a significant campaign to 'scrap the tax' in Victorian parliament, which legislated an increase to the charge formerly known as the firefighters levy.
The opposition, Victorian Farmers Federation and firefighters were among those opposed to the levy increase, which would have doubled the tax rate charged to property owners from July 1.
To secure crossbench support for the changes, Treasurer Jaclyn Symes earlier in May agreed to reduce the variable rate charged on farmers from 83¢ for every $1000 of a property's capital improved value to 71.8¢. It is currently 28.7¢, and after the backflip it will remain at that level lfor the time being.
Residential charges will rise from 8.7¢ to 17.3¢.
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But the reduced rates did not appease the Victorian Farmers Federation and other advocates, who said drought-stricken farmers could not handle the increase during difficult economic and environmental conditions.
In a sign of the backlash in regional communities, Labor MP for Ripon Martha Haylett wrote on Facebook this week she would continue to fight against the charge for farmers.