Volunteer firefighter Jarrod Bingham says farmers need to be vigilant despite the Victorian government deciding to postpone the contentious farmer’s levy.
The Allan government’s Emergency Services and Volunteer Fund (ESVF) was a tax that is estimated to cost residential homeowners an extra $63 per year, and $678 for farmers.
It was passed on July 1.
Yet after frequent protests on the steps of the Victorian Parliament from firefighters and farmers—concerned about the financial burden amid the ongoing drought—the Labor government announced the ESVF would be paused for primary producers until the 2025-26 financial year.
“It’s a political calculation made because they know they’ve woken a sleeping giant,” said Moorabool Shire Councillor Bingham, in an interview with The Epoch Times.
“They are scared that the very people they are supposed to represent will rise up and hold them to account at the ballot box.”
Bingham has called upon all Victorian councils, which will collect the tax under council rates, to oppose the ESVF, saying a good number of councils across the state do not agree with the levy.
“It’s all about trying to be unified, but … there are councils that are afraid to speak up,” he said.
“That’s because they’re scared of losing their jobs.”
Bingham also revealed he will be running for pre-selection as a Liberal Party member in the 2026 Victorian State Election.
The Allan government says the funds will support emergency services that respond to fires, floods, storms, and more.
“This new funding model is giving our incredible emergency service workers and volunteers the modern equipment they need to help keep communities safe,” Minister for Emergency Services Vicki Ward said.
The move also come as the 2024–25 budget update forecasts that net Victorian debt will grow from $133.2 billion on June 30, 2024, to $187.3 billion by June 30, 2028.
The Epoch Times contacted the Allan Labor government for additional comment.
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