Country firefighters are downing tools across the state in protest of the Allan government’s proposed new fire services levy

Up to 200 CFA brigades across regional Victoria have taken themselves offline leaving scores of communities without access to firefighters, in a protest over the Allan government’s proposed new fire services levy.

Farmers and CFA members gathered in front of the Victorian parliament on May 9 to vent their anger over the planned new fire services levy. Picture: David Crosling

Country firefighters are downing tools across the state in protest over the Allan government’s proposed new fire services levy.

CFA sources have told the Herald Sun up to 200 brigades across regional Victoria have taken themselves offline leaving dozens of communities without access to firefighters.

It comes as parliament sits late in an eleventh hour bid by the government to pass its controversial new fire services levy ahead of next week’s state budget.

If the new tax fails to pass it will leave a $2bn hole in the budget.

CFA volunteers are protesting in response to the proposed changes which could increase by up to almost 200 per cent the levy payable by some farmers.

Liberal MP Richard Riordan said those same farmers were the CFA volunteers regularly called to emergency situations.

Up to 200 brigades across regional Victoria have taken themselves offline.

“CFA brigades by 9pm tonight were meeting across the state with over 200 brigades taking themselves off line indefinitely, because of these taxes,” he said.

“This tax is viewed as a replacement land tax on small businesses and farmers, who have not had huge land tax increases.

“The drought in Western Victoria is the worst in 100 years, and communities can simply not afford the 1000s this government wants.

“This is a tax shift to pay for tunnels in Melbourne at the expense of country people.”

A CFA spokesperson said the agency was “aware that a number of brigades are currently off line this evening due to a lack of crewing.”

“This can happen for a variety of reasons and this can change rapidly, with brigades going back online as well,” she said.

CFA volunteers protesting earlier this month in response to the proposed changes which could increase by up to almost 200 per cent the levy payable by some farmers. Picture: David Crosling

“We are continuing to monitor the situation to ensure brigades are notified of emergencies in their communities and additional brigades are responded.

“Under the operational systems in place, when any brigade is offline, neighbouring brigades are notified and can respond, ensuring our communities are protected.

“We expect that our brigades will turn out to protect their communities as they always have done in their time of need.”

United Firefighters Union boss Peter Marshall, who has waged war with the Greens who buckled to pressure to support the levy, said a mass rally is being planned for Budget Day on Tuesday.

“That will involve taking trucks off-line, engaging with farmers, engaging councils and engaging with the Chamber of Commerce,” he said.

“The Treasurer’s Bill, supported by the sellout of the the Greens, Cannabis party and Animal Justice, has achieved something we never thought would be possible.

“That is, the uniting of unions, volunteers, career firefighters and farmers - in fact all sections of the community.

“That in itself is a testimony to just how wrong this government has got it in trying to deceive the community in an orchestrated grab for cash … under the deceitful guise of trying to help volunteers and emergency service workers.”

Mr Marshall was at 10pm in parliament watching the debate.

Originally published as Country firefighters are downing tools across the state in protest of the Allan government’s proposed new fire services levy