Tax on fire services remains a burning issue

Nationals Member for Benalla, Bill Sykes has tabled a further 200 signatures in Parliament this week in response to the Brumby Labor Government’s unfair Fire Services Levy (FSL).

 

The petition calls for the State Government to immediately review the tax on fire services and implement a fairer model of funding as is the case in other states of Australia.

 

Victoria’s FSL has been strongly criticised by peak bodies such as the National Insurance Brokers Association, Country Fire Authority, Victorian Farmers Federation and the Insurance Council of Australia.

 

A lack of action by the Brumby Government on introducing a more equitable FSL has also angered householders and community organisations.

“The Country Women’s Association recently tabled a resolution at its State Conference that ‘everyone who benefits from fire services should contribute to its funding not just those who take out insurance’ and that the ‘State Government (should) make it mandatory that all ratepayers pay the Fire Services Levy’.

 

“The resolution was carried unanimously by the 800 plus delegates present.”

Dr Sykes said that in October 2009 the Government announced a long overdue review of the FSL and released its Green Paper for wider community consultation.

 

At the time Dr Sykes was critical of the review process because while formal submissions on the Green Paper are open between June and July 2010, the Brumby Government has made no commitment to release the final White Paper before the next State Election.

 

The White Paper is due to be released within six months of the Bushfire Royal Commission handing down its final report on 31 July 2010.

“I am concerned that this government is not genuinely committed to change as the White Paper will not be available when Victorians go to the polls later this year,” Dr Sykes said.

 

Dr Sykes said the Brumby Government has known for years how unfair and inequitable the FSL is but has done nothing.

“Everyone but this government acknowledges that the current FSL has many deficiencies. 

“The Victorian Liberal-National Coalition in government is committed to implementing a fairer system.

“I challenge the Brumby Government to release the findings of the White Paper prior to the upcoming State Election,” Dr Sykes concluded.

 

Written submissions in response to the ‘Fire Services and the non-insured’ Green Paper are open until 15 July 2010 and can be provided to: Fire Services Funding Review, C/- Department of Treasury and Finance, 1 Treasury Place, East Melbourne 3002 or email to fireservicesproject@dtf.vic.gov.au.
Media enquiries Bill Sykes MP 0427 624 989


Bill Sykes MP, State Member for Benalla
Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Agriculture & Water
2/55 Carrier Street, Benalla  3672
Ph: 03 5762 2100 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting              03 5762 2100      end_of_the_skype_highlighting   Fx: 03 5762 4478  Mobile: 0427 624 989
Email: bill.sykes@parliament.vic.gov.au