State Member for Euroa Annabelle Cleeland said she was shocked by recent reports indicating that regional CFA and SES units had been allocated just $6 million to cover levy exemptions.
The reports, found in a budget update tabled in parliament, also refer to the exemptions as coming into play from July 1, 2026, 12 months later than initially planned.
Ms Cleeland said these announcements were representative of Labor’s failure to effectively support the state’s emergency services.
“The levy exemption had the opportunity to provide much-needed relief to our dedicated volunteers; however, it is clear it will fail to address key issues within our emergency services,” Ms Cleeland said.
“With over 55,000 volunteers, this $6 million will fail to provide the necessary exemptions for our landowners, while also failing to improve core issues within brigades and units such as decreasing volunteer numbers, ageing vehicles and ineffective facilities.
“Labor must do more to ensure our emergency services are supported to keep our communities safe.”
Ms Cleeland has been calling for a reduction in the fire service levy for volunteers since before this funding announcement, and has said the government must address a failure to prioritise frontline services, urgently.
“The Allan Labor Government must stop hiding behind bureaucracy and start delivering for the people,” Ms Cleeland said.
“Victorians expect their contributions to strengthen emergency services, not disappear into a black hole of mismanagement.”
The Victorian Government has been contacted for comment.
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