Victorian farmers spared emergency services levy hike

Victorian Labor has pledged to permanently halt an emergency services tax rate on farmland, which has been met with significant opposition from farmers. The Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund (ESVF) levy, introduced in July last year, faced backlash due to perceived unfairness and unaffordability, with some farmers facing rate hikes of tens of thousands of dollars.

The Coalition and One Nation have also vowed to abolish the fund. Agriculture Minister Michaela Settle confirmed that the freeze would remain under a Labor government, maintaining the current 28.7 per cent rate. Farmers Federation president Ryan Milgate welcomed the rate freeze, calling it a major change and a significant relief for Victorian farmers.

However, Milgate acknowledged that the issue is just one of many and may not sway many regional voters in the upcoming state election. The Coalition plans to scrap the ESVF in its first 100 days, reverting to the former Fire Services Property Levy model. Opposition Agriculture Spokesperson Emma Kealy criticized Labor's decision to impose the tax, calling it a tax grab to boost the budget and expressing concern over its rollout on farmers during a drought.