Regional Victorians are being unfairly slugged by Labor’s Emergency Services and Volunteer tax, a levy that punishes country families and those who already give their time and resources to protect communities.
Now, the Allan Labor Government is trying to look like it’s listening by pausing the tax for some until after the 2026 election and Gippsland East Nationals MP, Tim Bull cautions that this reprieve won’t last and Jacinta Allan still intends to implement this cruel tax.
“Don’t be fooled. This isn’t a backflip. It’s a political stunt from a Premier desperate to cling to power in an election year. Only the Liberals and Nationals have committed to scrapping it,” Mr Bull said.
“This is nothing more than political porkies from a government that knows it’s on the nose.
“Labor introduced this unfair tax to cover its own financial incompetence and reckless overspending on city projects. Facing a
growing backlash from cash-strapped households, Labor has now decided to wait until after the election to slug Victorians with this additional tax.
“The Premier suggests the tax forms a part of the state’s ‘fiscal recovery plan’, but Victorians know spin when they hear it. This tax is about paying down the Allan Labor Government’s soaring debt.
“Let me be crystal clear. Labor still intends to implement this tax on families, farmers and small business owners. They’re just waiting until after the election to do it, hoping everyone will forget.
“Country Victorians aren’t buying Labor’s spin. This pause is about polls, not
people,” he said.
