Arabic version: العمال يتعهدون بتجميد دائم لرسم المزارع
According to ABC News, Victorian Labor has promised to permanently freeze the Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund levy rate charged on farmland if it wins re-election this month. The fund, which finances fire and emergency services, has drawn strong opposition from farmers and Country Fire Authority volunteers.
Before the ESVF began in July last year, the government capped the farmland rate at 28.7 per cent after farmers faced potential increases of tens of thousands of dollars. The cap was initially a temporary measure and was later extended for two years. Agriculture Minister Michaela Settle said a Labor government would not increase the variable rate on agricultural land.
Settle said the 28.7 per cent rate matched the charge under the former Fire Services levy. She said proposals to abolish the tax would also mean removing the CFA rebate and funding for the State Emergency Service.
Victorian Farmers Federation president Ryan Milgate welcomed the pledge, calling it a significant relief for Victorian farmers and saying some could save tens of thousands of dollars. He said further detail was still needed because the ESVF is calculated on the capital improved value of farmland, while also stressing the need for adequately funded emergency services.
The Coalition and One Nation have pledged to scrap the ESVF. If elected, the Coalition says it would remove the fund within its first 100 days and restore the former Fire Services Property Levy model. Opposition agriculture spokesperson Emma Kealy described the levy as unfair and criticised Labor for considering higher charges for farmers.
