Fire levy call on motorists

VICTORIAN farmers have called for a $20 tax on all car registrations to fund CFA and MFB calls to road accidents.

In a submission to the Victorian Government, the Victorian Farmers Federation found 12 per cent of CFA and 9 per cent of MFB calls were to attend vehicle accidents.

The VFF pointed out it cost $711 million to run the CFA and MFB in 2009-10.

Yet the CFA's 2010 annual report shows the Traffic Accident Commission handed over just $14.3 million to cover the cost of call outs, about 3.5 per cent of the CFA's budget.

The VFF argues a $20 tax on the state's 4.2 million cars would contribute $84 million to the CFA and MFB budgets, generating almost 12 per cent of the fire service funding.

The VFF made its call for a car tax in its submission to the Government's options paper on finding a property levy to replace the controversial fire services levy on insurance premiums, which has reached 85 per cent.

The VFF's proposal has been backed by the Municipal Association of Victoria.

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