Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund
Bev McARTHUR (Western Victoria) (13:16): I rise today to particularly thank Meg Edwards and Nathan Murphy of the United Firefighters Union, who recently jointly organised a rally against the emergency services tax attended by around 200 very concerned Gippsland citizens at the Wonthaggi Workmen’s Club. While I was honoured to provide the keynote address, I also thank colleagues Dr Renee Heath, Wayne Farnham MP and Danny O’Brien, Leader of the Nationals, for joining me as speakers. The meeting was also supported by numerous councillors from Baw Baw, Shepparton, South Gippsland, Cardinia and Bass Coast councils. I reiterate that local government should not be the state’s tax collector. This is a killer new tax levied on every Victorian, but especially egregious is its effect on farmers and businesses. I also congratulate the Not in Our Name alliance, who are expertly highlighting the government’s out-of-control tax grab. I look forward to attending and speaking at many more such rallies. I think the next one is in Pakenham, and I will be there. This government is out of control in its efforts to tax Victorians at every move along the way, and this tax needs to be scrapped.