Community
6 June, 2025
A small victory... for now
GRASSMERE CFA captain John Houston and fellow brigade member Peter Murphy are responsible for one of the biggest tunes to be released on social media since the state government announced its controversial emergency services and volunteers fund (ESVF) levy.
The catchy lyrics of their song, ‘The Day The CFA Cried,’ have been heard far and wide, with more than 210,000 views on the Warrnambool Weekly social pages alone (as of last Wednesday) and almost 9,000 reactions.
The compilation perfectly sums up the feelings of many CFA volunteers, farmers, business owners and families across the state who have expressed their anger and frustration over the ESVF levy.
“We came up with the lyrics over a couple of drinks at the fire shed,” Houston said.
“The response the song has received has been amazing.
“But it’s just a small part of a big fight and one that we will continue until this tax (levy) is totally axed.”
In the wake of community outcry, the state government has announced a temporary backdown on its controversial emergency services levy while pledging money for struggling farmers.
In a statement released late last week, the government said it would cap its ESVF levy at the 2024/25 rate for all primary production properties across the state for the coming financial year.
The government also pledged $37.7 million in additional funding for farmers struggling with drought conditions – this includes an increase in infrastructure grants to $10,000 and grants of $5,000 for all farmers across the state (expanded to cover water carting and pasture re-establishment).
However, of concern to farmers is that the government made it clear the ‘pause’ was for this year only.
“This tax will hang over the heads of every Victorian, including farmers, businesses and home owners, for every year to come,” Houston said.
“This tax needs to be axed totally. We are all united in this fight and we won’t back down until we achieve this.”
VFF (Victorian Farmers Federation) president Brett Hosking said the recent government announcement with regards to the pause on the ESVF increase for the 2025/26 year was “a step in the right direction” but it was not enough.
“This reprieve for farmers is a good start but it’s not enough,” he said.
“It doesn’t change the underlying problem; this levy is an unfair cost shift onto farmers. It needs to be scrapped altogether not simply paused.”
Mr Hosking will join the government’s recently appointed 13-member Drought Response Taskforce.
The taskforce will also include:
Ministers Jaclyn Symes (Minister for Regional Development), Gayle Tierney (Water) and Ros Spence (Agriculture);
Parliamentary Secretary for Regional Victoria Michaela Settle;
Nationals MP for Murray Plains Peter Walsh;
Regional Cities Victoria Chair, Cr Shane Sali;
Rural Councils Victoria deputy chair, Cr Kate Makin;
National Centre for Farmers Health, Dr Susan Brumby;
CWA Victoria president, Jenny Nola;
President of the Hamilton and District Stock Agents Association, Heath Templeton;
NAB executive for regional and agribusiness, Khan Horne; and
General manager, corporate and public affairs, Bendigo Bank, Robert Musgrove.
It is believed the taskforce met for the first time this week, with a further package of support to be delivered (according to the state government) “as soon as possible.”
Member for Wannon Dan Tehan has also thrown his full support behind those fighting to scrap the tax.
“Make no mistake, this is nothing more than a delay tactic,” Mr Tehan said.
“An even harsher hike is almost certainly waiting next year to claw back what’s been lost.
“The message to Premier Allan is clear - this levy increase shouldn’t just be delayed it needs to be scrapped entirely.”
* The plight of our state’s farming communities was also highlight by TV and radio personality Sam Newman on his ‘You Cannot Be Serious’ podcast earlier this week.
Prompted by a call from Bushfield’s Elise McKinnon, Newman urged the AFL to host a ‘green arm band’ round in solidarity for farmers doing it tough.
“This is so important and it’s something the AFL needs to get behind,” Newman said.
“Everyone involved with the AFL needs to stand up and say we are behind you (farmers) all; we need to show our support for those who keep this country riding on the back of a sheep’s back, so to speak.
“A green arm band day would show solidarity; we need to show a united front.”
