As annual rate notices prepare to land in mailboxes, anger is brewing in the community.
Nearly 200 locals, including Cardinia Shire Cr Trudi Paton, packed into the Workmen’s Club in Wonthaggi to voice their anger at the State Government’s new emergency services tax.
The ‘Not In Our Name’ rally provided another valuable opportunity for council representatives from across Victoria to come together to share their concerns and perspectives.
Many praised Meg Edwards and Nathan Murphy (from United Firefighters Union) for organising the rally, and “giving voice to frustrated, angry locals who feel not just abandoned but targeted by the Allan Government”.
Farmers, volunteers, councillors, ratepayers and MPs all came together with one clear message: this unfair tax must go.
Speaking out against the levy were Shadow Minister for Local Government Bev McArthur MP, Eastern Victoria Renee Heath MP, Gippsland South MP and Victorian Nationals Leader Danny O’Brien and Narracan MP Wayne Farnham.
A common theme emerged — Regional Victoria is “furious”, and the mood in the Wonthaggi room was “unmistakable”.
“What we saw at the rally was a community crying out to be heard. Gippsland has provided the resources and industries that feed, power and build our state – yet it is being punished by this ideological government,” MP Heath said.
“The emergency services and volunteer levy will impact every single Victorian, but it will disproportionately affect farmers and volunteers.
“Victorians are being bled dry by this government and it’s not fair. That is why, when the Liberals and Nationals win government, we will abolish this levy.”
MP Bev who has attended many rallies like this before, warns “there will be many more if Labor continues to ignore these communities”.
“My message to the Government is simple: the anger in regional Victoria is not going away,” she said.
“The people in the room on Tuesday were sick of being misunderstood, ignored and taken for granted by a city-centric Labor Government that cares more about pleasing suburban Greens voters than standing up for regional Victoria.
“This is not just a levy on a bill. It is a tax on volunteers, a tax on farmers, a tax on the very existence of regional communities. Councils are being forced to become Labor’s tax collector, while ratepayers foot the bill for Labor’s financial mess.”
Cr Paton said this was the second rally she had attended as part of the group, which allowed her to stay up to date with the initiatives they were working on.
“The group has formed a working party of 12 councillors, which will form a delegation to speak to the Minister,” Cr Paton said.
“The group has also made a submission to the Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV) to request that the Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund (ESVF) be tabled at their conference in October.
“We’re committed to continuing to work together to express our collective concerns and highlight the impact this levy will have on our communities, and to advocate for a fair outcome.”
Local farmer Graham Wood spoke with heartfelt frustration on behalf of his peers, describing the tax as a direct threat to the very soil that sustains their livelihoods.
“This is a tax on your assets, not on your income,” he shared at the rally.
“The tax is calculated on the capital improved value of your land – That’s the value of your soil.
“I really think the soil is a farmer’s working capital. It’s gotta be healthy soil to produce your food and fibre, and no way should it be taxed. Anyway, that’s what they’re trying to do.”
The next rally will be held on 16 September at Pakenham Community Hall, with confirmed speakers MP Bev McArthur, MP David Limbrick, MP Renee Heath and Nathan Murphy. Others, including Leader of Opposition Brad Battin and Russell Broadbent may also join the lineup.
