Joint Statement - Devil in detail as councils join Victorians in turning on new Labor tax.

Joint Statement – Devil in detail as councils join Victorians in turning on new Labor tax.

Danny O’Brien, Leader of the Nationals

James Newbury, Shadow Treasurer

The looming new emergency services tax is an obvious blow to all Victorians, yet the devil in the detail exposes even more pain.

The new Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund (ESVF) levy is so bad local councils are warning the Allan Labor Government that they will revolt against it.

In reports today, councils have revealed they are not equipped to collect the tax, adding the “cost shock” and backlash from ratepayers would be “massive”.

There are also concerns that emergency services volunteers, who are exempt, will have to pay the tax up front and then claim the exemption back.

The increased tax, which will replace the Fire Services Property Levy, will be introduced in Parliament this week and come into effect from July 1.

Households are set to pay almost double under the tax, announced by the government in December last year.

Under the tax, households are set to be slugged on average an extra $60 a year.

Commercial, industrial and primary production landowners face increases of 100 per cent, 64 per cent, and 189 per cent more respectively.

Shadow Minister for Emergency Services, Danny O’Brien, said he was not surprised councils are already being inundated with complaints.

“Reality is quickly sinking in that this tax is a stinker for both ratepayers and councils,” Mr O’Brien said.

“This is an expanded tax, forcing Victorians to pay for what should be core government services, simply because labor can’t manage money.”

Shadow Treasurer James Newbury said the great big new tax is a mess. 

“In the midst of a cost-of-living crisis, this tax is simply unfair and will hit all Victorians hard. 

“Only Labor could claim that volunteers would be exempt, only to announce that they would force them to pay the tax and then claim it back

“Labor can’t manage money and Victorians are paying the price.”

Danny O’Brien, Leader of the Nationals

James Newbury, Shadow Treasurer