Tuesday, 3 February 2026

 Bev McARTHUR (Western Victoria) (17:53): (1191) My question is to the Treasurer. Page 62 of the CFA’s 2023–24 annual report shows funding fell from $341.7 million in 2022–23 to $339.5 million in 2023–24, stating:

Total grant income for the 2023–24 year declined by $2.3m from the previous year as the CFA continues to implement efficient and effective measures in line with the More Efficient and Effective Government initiative.

Treasurer, these comments in the annual report directly contradict the Premier’s claim on 18 January that there has been a year-on-year funding increase. Why does the CFA have to pay the price for the government’s inability to manage money?

 Jaclyn SYMES (Northern Victoria – Treasurer, Minister for Industrial Relations, Minister for Regional Development) (17:54): At the outset, Mrs McArthur, you are referring to the period of 2022–‍23. It would have actually been appropriate to put that question to me when I was the Minister for Emergency Services at that particular time, because as you would appreciate, these questions should be directed to the relevant minister. But you did reflect on comments that the Premier has made in relation to the increase of funding for the CFA each and every year. Mrs McArthur, respectfully, if you were able to read budget papers and tables in the annual report, it is there in black and white that there has been an increase in the totality of funding for the CFA each and every year. As I have explained to you in relation to particular inputs, it is just one line item of the totality of funding of the CFA. If you read the whole table – if you look at every revenue measure that was provided to the CFA – you will see in the annual report that it is clear, as was confirmed by the CFA board, that there has been an increase in funding to the CFA year in, year out. As you previously asked in your earlier question about the ESVF, the ESVF gives us greater certainty for sustainable funding for the CFA. It has enabled us to double VESEP grants, which means that more and more brigades are able to access funding for the equipment that they choose. Just this year alone the CFA received $22 million under that particular fund. This is going to be a very frustrating backwards and forwards, Mrs McArthur, if you continue to not accept the reality that is printed in some budget papers. I can continue to point you to the evidence that shows that there have been increases. I am not sure why you think that what is printed means something that it does not.

 Bev McARTHUR (Western Victoria) (17:56): Treasurer, it is quite clear in black and white that the funding was cut, and you have told us twice in this chamber that there are no budget cuts to the CFA. You have done it again. Why are you continuing to mislead Parliament and the people of Victoria, and especially the CFA?

 Jaclyn SYMES (Northern Victoria – Treasurer, Minister for Industrial Relations, Minister for Regional Development) (17:57): Mrs McArthur, you may wish to put this to a substantive motion, because you are making an allegation against me as the Treasurer of misleading the house. I have told you – this is the fourth answer now – that there have been no funding cuts to the CFA. There has been an increase in funding every year, which is very clearly outlined in the annual report that has been recently released. I am concerned that you are unable to read the annual report’s funding table, and I invite you to a session where I will take you through it so that you can see that your presentation is an inaccurate and completely false reflection of what is contained in black and white in the annual report.