It is change to the Fire Services Levy that one pays to their local council annually (or in instalments) for their "council rates." Own a place? You pay 'rates' to local government. That includes - I'm sure you've heard the saying "Rates, Roads and Rubbish" This tax is collected by local council.

These changes mean, for example: "A landholder near Willara who spent all Christmas fighting the Grampians fire? His levy goes from $25,000 to $70,000+ (Andrew Rule, Herald Sun, May 16, p.29) So the State Government - it appears - is doing such to 'fill a hole' in the State Budget.

One person’s levy can’t be $25k to begin with surely?

Yes, sadly, it can. As council rates are based on land area, so a farmer with a large land-holding has to pay so much per sq km in thier rates for their land. Even in rural - 'in town' housing - this happens.

The rates are based on the land area. And, well, farmers tend to have a bit of land. But the State Government isn't going to collect this new tax. Premier Allan is going to make local councils add it to their annual Rates Notices, so therefore a "council charge."

I am looking forward to the next state election to let Labor know that the federal result won’t help the state outcome.

I understand - but have not confirmed - that many regional and rural Victorian councils are very angry about this. I have sought comment, but wouldn't expect answers until after 9am Monday.

This is almost exactly the same charge that was being put forward by Kennett when he was Premier. Getting local government to collect a fire levy on behalf of the state government

Bingo. Yep, goes into the (Victorian) State Budget to 'balance the budget' yet, it's not the State Government collecting said tax, they're going to force councils to put it on thier annual rates notices? Yep. Collect $200. You Pass Go.

Geoff "Jeff" Hook, Herald Sun, January 26, 1997. (from VicNews archives). Scanned from original print copy in 1997.

I'd honestly love to know what @cathywilcox.bsky.social @goldingcartoons.bsky.social and others think. How I knew it, I do not know. But I do know when 'Jeff' but his hook in the signature or 'clean space' I knew he was serious. (Yeah, I met him, he drew me lol) ...

Who do you think jump on the fire trucks, are first CERT (ambulance) responders, in the SES, in Victorian regional communities? The volunteers.

Imagne, for example, if the volunteers, in rural Victoria, demanded to be paid the same as their Melbourne counterparts? Both CFA and the volunteers hold the exact same firefighting qualifications. Imagine how much state tax would be needed to fund such a wage bill.

The CFA volunteers, particularly those out in the small towns and 'the bush' are angry. Many of these farmers are struggling as it is, and now the State Government, to fill a hole in budget throws it on them? As anyone who's ever lived in rural Victoria knows ...

... the local footy/netball/cricket club, the local pub, the CWA, the local CFA are all volunteers, giving their time, with their skills to their community ... They are the heartbeat of a rural town. This is bigger than just this Vic Labor bill ...

... Those farners who once sponsored the footy club? Well, they won't be able to now. The on-flow effects are hugh, but the State Labor government has a 'budget hole' to fill to present a 'balanced budget' to the press (myself included) on Tueday, May 20. It's bullshit.

The implications are much "further-reaching" than the MSM is reporting. Once the local farmers can't afford to sponsor the town's footy club, the on-flow effects are huge. Eventually, the local footy/netball club collapses, people move out, move on. Then with little money in the community ...

... the town's pub closes (the heartbeat of a country town) - "A Country Practice" is just a serial TV show - it's a documentary of rural life - and once ya lose the local farmers money being but into the town?

The farms that employ locals, the footy players, the young kids, sponsor the pub etc. Once that happens, it's a collapse as that rural town's economy collapses. I studied this. How? you ask.