Coalition of peak bodies opposed proposed reforms to Tasmania’s fire levy

“This will burn a hole in the pockets of all of everyone, during a cost-of-living crisis”: A new front in the inferno surrounding the future of fire and emergency funding in Tasmania has ignited.

Tasmanian Parliament, Felix Ellis MP. Picture: Chris Kidd

A coalition of Tasmanian advocacy groups have called on the state government to abandon its plans for changes to the fire levy.

The state government has proposed changes to the way the state’s fire and emergency services are structured and paid for – including changes to the levy currently collected by local councils.

Ahead of a government-hosted Fire and Emergency Services Roundtable on Wednesday, a coalition of Tasmanian peak organisations call on the government to scrap its proposed fire tax and go back to the drawing board.

The Property Council of Tasmania, Tasmanian Small Business Council, Local Government Association of Tasmania, Tasmanian Farmers and Graziers Association, and Tasmanian Chamber of Commerce and Industry met with Minister for Police, Fire and Emergency Services Felix Ellis on Wednesday.

Executive Director of the Property Council Rebecca Ellston and Premier Jeremy Rockliff at the In The Hanging Garden precinct. Picture: Chris Kidd

Coalition spokeswoman Rebecca Ellston said all of the organisations agreed the funding models proposed in the Tasmanian Fire and Emergency Services Bill needed to be scrapped.

“Both models put forward under the Tasmanian government’s proposed fire tax are unfair, out of touch and just plain wrong,” Ms Ellston said.

“Under the proposed funding models, households will face up to 300 per cent increases on their bills, business up to 800 per cent and farmers as high as 1,000 per cent.

“This will burn a hole in the pockets of all of everyone, during a cost-of-living crisis.

In a joint statement, the five organisation called on the government to scrap the plan and commit to consultation process to come up with new funding options

“The fact that five of Tasmania’s peaks that represent industry, business and the community all agree that the Government has got this one wrong should be cause for pause on the fire tax,” Ms Ellston said.

“We urge the minister and premier to listen to Tasmanians – scrap the tax today, go back to the drawing board, and consult openly and transparently.”

Premier Jeremy Rockliff said the government was committed to listening to feedback on the reforms.

“We are very engaged with key stakeholders around this reform,” he said.

“The Property Council has supported reforming this space, while they have ideas of how to improve the aspects of that has been so far presented.

“We’re still in the consultation phase and absolutely keen to engage with all stakeholders, including the people that fight our fires who deserve the very best of equipment and infrastructure.”