Regional volunteers shafted by emergency services tax sham

The Nationals' Member for Ovens Valley, Tim McCurdy, has slammed the Allan Labor Government for deceiving regional Victorians, after it was revealed just 20 cents in every dollar of the new Emergency Services Tax is being delivered to the CFA and a measly 5 cents to the SES.

“This is an outright betrayal of our volunteers,” Mr McCurdy said. “Labor promised a funding boost for the CFA and SES, yet they’ve been handed a real-terms cut under a tax that’s raking in more than ever.”

The new $1.54 billion Emergency Services Volunteer Fund was sold as a lifeline for CFA and VicSES volunteers, replacing the $1 billion Fire Services Property Levy. But figures show less money is actually reaching the volunteers who risk their lives to protect our communities.

“This government talks big but delivers small. The CFA’s budget has been slashed by $9 million, how is that a ‘boost’? And VicSES gets next to nothing. It’s a disgrace,” Mr McCurdy said.

While frontline volunteers are struggling to get the trucks and gear they need, half of this massive tax take is going to Fire Rescue Victoria, and hundreds of millions more are being funnelled into bureaucratic agencies with little to no community presence.

“Our CFA volunteers protect regional homes, farmland and lives. They shouldn’t have to beg for basics while Labor dishes out dollars to office-bound agencies,” he said.

Mr McCurdy demanded full transparency and an immediate reversal of cuts.

“Victorians were promised support for volunteers, not a spin-fest. Labor must stop treating our emergency services like a slush fund and start treating our volunteers with the respect they deserve.”

Labor can't manage money, and volunteer emergency services are paying the price.