CFA and MFB and FSL

Hi Mario,

I noticed on your blog yesterday the following comment:

"In Victoria, the levy is substantially higher for country-based businesses than for urban companies. This situation is particularly ironic, when it is considered that mainly volunteer-based rural fire services are less likely to reach country properties in time to extinguish the fires".

I am not sure where your information comes from but the second sentence is generally a propaganda statement from the UFU (United Firefighters Union) against the volunteer system and is a load of rubbish.

If we got rid of the volunteer system and replaced it with a paid system, there is no way that there would be a paid fire service in every tin pot town that you have now. The shire of Yarra Ranges would probably be reduced from the 60 odd brigades to about 6 in the major towns of the shire and your shire rates would go up accordingly to pay for this service. Coldstream would probably be serviced from Lilydale. I could go on but ..........

Let's keep the blog on track about the Fire Service Levy, and not introduce CFA v MFB red herring.

Regards,

Robert Bethell.


Thanks Robert, your comments are duly noted but I took the meaning differently, however I see your point.


I have just met with Peter Ryan MLA (Leader of The Nationals) and the Herald-Sun as well as the Mountain Views for a story on the tax ops levy! We are looking at a fairer system to fund the CFA and MFB but I have no problem with the work you all do.

Thanks again Robert.