Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF), Media Release, 2 September 2025
As local government rates notices hit letterboxes across the state, farmers are highlighting the madness of the Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund Tax (ESVF) now hitting the pockets of Victorian homeowners.
Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) President Brett Hosking said the mounting outrage is adding more weight to calls to scrap massive increases in the tax.
“People are opening their rates notices to reveal this new cash grab by the State Government.”
“If you’re a homeowner, take a moment to consider that a farmer would be forced to pay 166 per cent of what you’re paying for a property of the same value.”
“The lunacy is if I’m a homeowner and my neighbour’s house catches fire, people call 000. As a farmer and volunteer firefighter, if my neighbour has a fire, they call us. Through the CFA we are the fire department and we’ll be slugged this backward tax for the privilege,” Mr Hosking said.
The VFF has warned that the tax could exacerbate existing financial pressures on farming families, who already shoulder the cost of maintaining firebreaks, equipment, and volunteer firefighting commitments.
“It’s not just a tax, it’s a fundamental misunderstanding of who is already paying and protecting the community.”
“There is absolutely no support for this tax…not from the fire services, not from local councils and overwhelmingly not from farmers and regional communities,” Mr Hosking said.
