THE Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) is encouraging local community members to contact their local Members of Parliament to demand they vote to scrap the Victorian Government’s proposed new emergency services tax.


President Brett Hosking said the unfair proposed tax hike had sparked unity among farmers, firefighters, regional councils and Victoria’s business community who are all campaigning against the tax and calling for it to be dumped.


“This tax is unfair, unnecessary, and completely out of step with what Victorians expect from their government,” Mr Hosking said.


“It’s time for the community to raise their voice and let politicians know they will not stand for yet another hit to the household and business bottom line.


With the legislation yet to pass the Upper House and set to be revisited in the coming weeks, the VFF is calling on concerned Victorians to contact their local members and crossbench representatives to voice their opposition and demand a vote against the bill.


“This tax has no support, not from the fire services, not from local councils, and not from the people who’ll be forced to pay it,” Mr Hosking said.


“The Upper House has the chance to stop it in its tracks, but they need to hear loud and clear from the people they represent.”


Rather than introducing a new layer of tax, the Federation is urging the Victorian Government to focus on fixing the current Fire Services Property Levy system by introducing CPI caps, protecting households from levy shock due to inflated land values and ensuring regional communities are not overcharged for the services they provide as volunteers.


“This is a moment for the Victorian community to stand up and say ‘enough is enough’,” Mr Hosking said.


“Do not burn regional Victoria with more taxes.


“We encourage everyone to contact their MPs this week and make their voice heard.”


More information, including a letter template and how to contact your local MP can be found on the VFF website.