Thousands of firefighter, farmers rally at state parliament on Victorian budget day protest

Thousands of fed-up farmers and firefighters have massed in Melbourne’s CBD ahead of the Victorian state budget, as the head of the state’s powerful firefighting union accuses the Allan government of cancelling rural train services.

Thousands of furious farmers and firefighters have descended on the CBD in protest of the state government’s expanded emergency services tax.

Huge numbers had already gathered near the steps of state parliament early on Tuesday morning.

They travelled in convoy from all corners of the state to demand Jacinta Allan scrap the controversial tax move amid the current disastrous drought conditions.

There was a particularly strong representation from the state’s west, who all crossed the Westgate just after 8am.

Union leader suggests V/Line delays are Allan government’s ‘dirty trick’

The head of Victoria’s powerful firefighter’s union has sensationally claimed the Allan government deliberately cancelled V/Line train services in order to prevent country people from attending today’s protest.

United Firefighters Union secretary Peter Marshall accused the government of “dirty tricks” on Tuesday. Picture: David Caird

United Firefighters Union secretary Peter Marshall accused the government of “dirty tricks” on Tuesday.

“The government’s dirty tricks, they’ve stopped the trains coming in,” he told 3AW.

“That is dirty from this government.”

A V/Line spokesman has dismissed those claims.

He said there was a rail equipment fault between Bacchus Marsh and Melton on Tuesday morning.

He said V/Line staff were still gathering further details but heavy delays of 60 minutes heading inbound remain.

Sea Lake Grain and sheep farmer, Murray Allen, was delayed over an hour today after being stuck at Ballarat due to the train chaos.

“Stop killing the country, and save your money somewhere else,” Mr Allen said of the Victorian Labor government.

“Stop wasting money on projects that don’t count and drop this tax.”

Farmers, firefighters, industry, councils and homeowners protest in Melbourne’s CBD. Picture: David Caird

They are angry about a steep hike in the fire service levy. Picture: David Caird

The rally brought the bush to the steps of Victoria’s parliament. Picture: David Caird

A convoy of CFA trucks makes its way to Victoria's parliament. Picture: 7News

Melbourne traffic choked up due to protest

Dozens of fire trucks also lined Spring St with members seen holding signs and banners in support of fellow volunteers and farmers.

Fire crews from several Gippsland regions left home just after 4am in preparation for Tuesday’s rally.

CFA members from Stradbroke, Fernbank, Fish Creek, Glenaladale, Allambee and Meerlieu travelled along the Princes Highway and Monash Freeway in convoy.

Signs condemning the Allan Government lined the steps of parliament.

Protesters on the steps of parliament on Tuesday. Picture: David Caird

The protest was held as the government got ready to release the state budget. Picture: David Caird

Firefighters prepare for budget day protest. Picture: Regan Hodge

“We fight fires while Labor burns us,” one read.

“Clueless Allan destroying Victoria” read another.

CFA Volunteer and farmer Andrew Slater told the Herald Sun: “We are not cash cows.”

“It’s going to be a $30 to $40 thousand cost to my business,” Mr Slater said of the emergency services levy.

“I’m going to have to lay off an employee — we can’t be paying for their mismanagement.”

Victorian Liberals Leader Brad Battin promised the thousands gathered today that, if elected, he would “scrap the tax”.

“I will make the commitment to you that if we are elected on November next year, the Victorian Liberals will scrap that tax and hand that money back to Victoria,” Mr Battin said.

“We will ensure that we cancel this tax and ensure our volunteers in the SES, in the CFA and all other industries are supported.”

Leader of the Nationals, Danny O’Brien threw his support behind the Liberal Party promise.

“We want to scrap the tax, we have got to scrap the government that goes with it,” Mr O’Brien said.

A convoy of CFA trucks makes its way to Victoria's parliament to protest the new emergency services levy on May 20. Picture: 7News

Meerlieu CFA captain James Blandford, 36, said his fellow members were standing up to the government.

“We’re doing this to stand up for what’s right for farmers and the CFA,” he said from his truck on Tuesday morning.

“The CFA is made up from about 60 per cent farmers, and those in the west have been on trucks all summer fighting fires.

“Now they’re going through a one-in-100-year drought

“And now they’re expected to pay more tax. Scrap the tax.”

A convoy of CFA trucks makes its way to Victoria's parliament to protest the new emergency services levy. Picture: Regan Hodge

Farmer Wade Northausen drove from the state’s west early on Tuesday morning.

He travelled in a convoy with about 40 trucks and 100 CFA members and farmers.

“This is unprecedented here,” he said during his crew’s briefing at Calder Park on Tuesday.

“Melbourne is going to look very, very different. Parliament House is going to look very, very different.

Mr Northausen said it would be “interesting” to see if the Premier would front the protest to explain her actions.

“I very much doubt it,” he said.

Originally published as Thousands of firefighter, farmers rally at state parliament on Victorian budget day protest