Wednesday, 15 October 2025

 Gaelle BROAD (Northern Victoria) (18:52): (2006) My adjournment matter is for the Treasurer, and the action I seek is for the government to scrap the unfair emergency services tax. I have been contacted by a not-for-profit organisation in my electorate that promotes local artisans and craftspeople. This group rent premises on a commercial basis, meaning they are responsible for paying council rates and now the increased emergency services tax. They are a small community organisation supporting 15 local members, and this new tax threatens their financial viability.

This is not an isolated case. I have heard from a local resident in Kyneton who leases an aircraft hangar just 13 by 13 metres in size, who is being charged the same emergency services tax as for his family home – over $400 for each property. This clearly demonstrates how arbitrary and unfair the current valuation and charging system is. He is particularly upset that this small piece of land, which he does not own, attracts the charge at all, let alone at the disproportionate rate that is currently being used to calculate it.

Local councils across the state have expressed frustration at being forced to collect this tax on behalf of the state. Councils are not supportive of the levy, and they do not want to be the face of this unfair tax. This tax hits businesses, small not-for-profits, volunteer-run organisations, families and individuals. Victorians should not be punished for the financial mismanagement of this government. I therefore call on the Treasurer to address the concerns raised by these local residents and, better still, scrap the unfair emergency services tax.