Tuesday, 17 June 2025

Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund

Joe McCRACKEN (Western Victoria) (14:48): I was proud to speak at a rally convened in Ballarat over the weekend squarely aimed at ending the emergency services tax. CFA volunteers, FRV members, United Firefighters Union members, farmers and regional communities gathered in Victoria Park in Ballarat to send a very clear message to the government: scrap the tax. A convoy of over a hundred trucks toured Ballarat, going past both the member for Eureka’s office and the member for Wendouree’s office. Despite both being invited, they both declined to attend the rally and listen to their constituents. I want to acknowledge the work of Alistair Cousins and Cate Lancashire, who did a great job organising the rally, along with Andrew Weidemann, Cr Rob Armstrong and of course my colleague Mrs McArthur, who attended the event as well. The message is clear: scrap the tax. The problem with this government is they just will not listen.