Geelong council, farmers disappointed by controversial new tax

The controversial emergency services volunteer fund imposed by the state government has been slammed by a furious chorus of farmers and politicians as “disastrous”.

Geelong mayor Stretch Kontelj campaigned hard against the proposed tax. Picture: Alan Barber

The controversial emergency services volunteer fund imposed by the state government has been slammed by a furious chorus of farmers and politicians as “disastrous”.

Country Fire Authority (CFA) units across Victoria have elected to go on strike in protest at the tax, which will replace the fire services levy.

Stock agent Will Richardson, who has clients from Colac to Ceres, said the unpopular move would cause carnage for farmers.

“There’ll be people commit suicide because they cannot cope with any more stress,” he said.

“They just won’t pay it.”

He said the dire situation was already at breaking point.

“I don’t think everyone realises how bad this is, it’s scary times. We’ve had two bad years; how much more can they take?”

Will Richardson from HF Richardson and Co. Picture: Supplied

A late amendment to the tax reduced the cost to farmers by 16 per cent and will be temporarily paused for those in drought-affected areas.

But shadow Agriculture Minister Emma Kealy claims farmers will still be slugged a 189 per cent increase year on year.

Polwarth MP Richard Riordan said it was “grossly unfair”.

“Many emergency services volunteers give up days and weeks’ worth of time each year to keep Victorians safe, and now they must pay heavily for the privilege,” he said.

Geelong mayor Stretch Kontelj said he was “disappointed” the “voice of the community” had been blatantly ignored.

“We wrote to the Victorian government and lobbied upper house members to convince them to ditch this new tax, but they refused to listen and consult,” he said.

“They have no mandate or support for this, especially when it was opposed by every Victorian council, the Country Fire Authority, Victorian Farmers’ Federation and the majority of the community, particularly farmers who will be particularly badly hit.

“I was also disappointed to learn that upper house MP Sarah Mansfield voted to support the legislation, despite our recent meeting with six local councils who all opposed this.

“As a former Greater Geelong councillor, I had hoped she would stand up for ratepayers in opposing this levy.”

The council alliance lobbied member for Greens’ Western Victoria MP Sarah Mansfield (centre) to vote against the proposed tax. Picture: Alan Barber.

Victorian Farmers Federation president Brett Hosking said there was still a “clear disconnect” between Spring St and primary producers.

“The sheer reality is that this levy will create a crippling financial burden to farmers,” he said.

“It almost feels like the worse this drought gets, the harder the government pushes to take more from farmers.”

State opposition leader Brad Battin said the mental health crisis, which regional communities were all too familiar with, would be worsened by the fund’s introduction.

If you or anyone you know needs help call Lifeline on 13 11 14.

Originally published as Geelong council, farmers disappointed by controversial new tax