McCurdy backs “Scrap The Tax” campaign as Labor’s latest levy targets regional Victoria

The Nationals Member for Ovens Valley, Tim McCurdy, has joined his Nationals colleagues in launching the “Scrap The Tax” campaign — a statewide push to stop the Allan Labor Government’s Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund (ESVF) in its tracks.

“This tax is nothing short of a cash grab,” Mr McCurdy said. “It will hit regional families, farmers and small businesses the hardest, while delivering little – if anything – back to our local CFA brigades and SES units.”

Under Labor’s plan, property owners face eye-watering increases: household rates up by nearly 100 per cent, commercial properties up 100 per cent, industrial properties up 64 per cent, and farmers slugged with a massive 189 per cent increase compared to the previous levy.

Mr McCurdy said the tax punishes regional Victorians at a time they can least afford it.

“With costs rising and dry conditions hitting agriculture hard, this is the worst possible time to tax farmers more,” he said. “Labor’s priorities are completely out of touch with regional Victoria.”

Despite claiming to support emergency services, Labor’s new tax won’t directly boost CFA or SES funding — instead, funds will be funnelled to bureaucracies already receiving substantial taxpayer support.

“The Nationals secured a win last sitting week by halting this tax in Parliament, but the fight isn’t over,” Mr McCurdy said.

“We’re urging people to visit scrapthetax.com.au and send a message to the Treasurer before Parliament returns in May.”

“This tax must be scrapped — regional Victorians deserve better.”