Council
30 May, 2025
Push continues to scrap the tax
FARMERS and CFA volunteers across the district have vowed to continue their push to see the emergency services levy scrapped.
Speaking in the wake of last week’s peaceful convoy through the streets of Warrnambool, which culminated in a large gathering at the showgrounds, Grassmere captain John Houston said all brigades across the Merri Group had agreed to continue lobbying the state government “until a decision is made to scrap the tax or until the next election, whichever comes first.”
“We’ve had a few unofficial meetings since last week’s rally to map out where to go from here,” he said.
“We have only just begun our fight for fairness and equality. We’re all happy to pay our fair share, and to continue our voluntary work in our communities, but what we don’t agree with is how unfair this levy is being distributed.
“Farmers are already struggling and this new levy, in the middle of drought conditions, will hit hard. Why should our CFA volunteers, many of whom are farmers, be forced to pay thousands of dollars for a service they voluntarily provide?”
Mr Houston has this week launched a song on social media, titled ‘The Day the CFA Cried.’
The words go as follows (to a tune similar to Don McLean’s ‘American Pie’):
A long, long time ago,
I can still remember how the CFA made us feel so proud.
And I knew if we had our say,
we’d keep the levy far away.
But now the storm is rolling in the crowd.
But Jacinta came in with her plan,
a shiny tax across the land.
Said it’s for our safety,
but it smells like revenue lately.
The country folk just shook their heads,
these city suits don’t see our sheds.
And I knew we’d all been misled,
the day the CFA cried.
So bye, bye to the fair country side,
drove my ute to the fire shed but the spirit had died.
Them good ol’ boys said what’s this woman applied,
singing this’ll be the day her polls slide.
Do you recall the volunteers,
the ones who’ve fought for all these years?
With beat-up trucks and borrowed gear,
still standin’ tall.
Now they’re burdened by a fee,
from someone who’s never chopped a tree.
While city desks make rules for us all.
Now farmers look at mounting bills,
while smoke curls up from distant hills.
The levy’s got ‘em stressed,
“Is this help or just a pest?”
And out in towns where sirens ring,
we used to fight fires like kings.
Now we’re just numbers in the scheme,
the day the CFA cried.
So bye, bye to the old country pride,
watched a Premier from Spring Street take the volunteer’s ride.
Them good ol’ boys said her career’s gonna slide,
Singin’ this’ll be the day she’s denied,
This’ll be the day she’s denied.
We saw her face on the nightly news,
selling pain in policy shoes.
But the bush aint buying what she sells.
Cause when you tax the ones who give for free,
you break more than community.
You ring the final toll of warning bells.
Oh, and as the dry winds start to blow,
the anger down here starts to grow.
And CFA’s still here,
but Jacinta’s time it’s near.
And the brigade will carry on,
Long after this tax is gone.
But her legacy’ll be withdrawn,
The day the CFA cried.
So bye, bye to spin and the lie,
Took a stand in the paddocks with a tear in our eye.
Them good ol’ boys said, we gave it a try,
singin’ this’ll be the day she says bye.
This’ll be the day her polls die.
Following last week’s public outcry, Victorian Opposition leader Brad Battin spoke publicly of his promise to repeal the tax if elected to power next year.
“We will scrap this tax; there is so much waste within this government,” Battin said.
“This tax is an unfair one right across Victoria and particularly on farmers.”
Warrnambool City Council mayor Cr Ben Blain has also been vocal in his support of the public outcry, demanding the state government takes action now and abandons the tax.
“As we have seen in recent weeks, south west Victorian councils, the Municipal Association of Victoria, Regional Cities Victoria and regional Victorians more broadly are strongly opposed to the new emergency services and volunteers fund,” Cr Blain said.
“The level of public opposition has been unprecedented and our position is clear.
“This tax is unfair and it will weaken regional Victoria at a time when we can least afford it.
“The decision now lies with the Victorian Government, who I would once again urge to take action now and to abandon this tax.”
