Wednesday, 4 February 2026

 Bev McARTHUR (Western Victoria) (12:09): My question is to the Treasurer. Victorian SES units in Portland, Warrnambool, Heywood and Dartmoor have been issued council rates notices that include the government’s new ESVF levy. This means emergency services units themselves are being taxed to fund emergency services, punishing the very people who step up when disaster strikes.

The emergency services minister, when asked about this, washed her hands of it, saying that questions regarding exemptions from the Emergency Services and Volunteer Fund should be referred to the Treasurer. So, Treasurer, why is this government taxing SES units at all and will you now exempt them from this levy?

 Jaclyn SYMES (Northern Victoria – Treasurer, Minister for Industrial Relations, Minister for Regional Development) (12:10): I thank Mrs McArthur for her question in relation to the ESVF. Indeed the ESVF is all about ensuring that funding be expanded to all emergency services organisations that the legislation captures, including the SES for the first time. This is in response to –

Bev McArthur: Why should they pay the levy?

Jaclyn SYMES: Mrs McArthur, in relation to the levy you might be familiar with the fire services levy, and there has been no change in relation to how that is applied in relation to units. Those organisations and those facilities have always received the same treatment previously as they do now. But what we have done for the first time, in recognition of the amazing work of our volunteers, is provide exemptions and rebates for volunteers to apply for under the rebate system. I would encourage anybody who has active volunteers in their electorates to encourage them to apply, because I would like to see greater take-up. The SES provides units with a subsidy to cover their bills, and this was increased in this year’s budget. In relation to the CFA- and SES-owned buildings, they are under the public benefit category, which is a lesser rate, in recognition of the public purpose that they provide to the community.

As I said, I am also advised that in some cases there are councils that can begin charging emergency services at the public benefit rate themselves in relation to buildings that they own, so this is also something that I would encourage people to revisit. I do have advice and I am aware that there may be isolated cases where a unit has received a land classification that is not public benefit, and we are awaiting further advice in regard to that. If that is what your question is specifically related to – a particular case where they have not received the correct rate – please bring that to my attention, because we have one or two examples that we are rectifying.

 Bev McARTHUR (Western Victoria) (12:12): The Portland SES unit rang both the Glenelg council and the government’s own ESVF hotline and was told that SES units and other not-for-profit emergency services are not exempt and cannot apply for an exemption. So is it government policy for emergency services to pay this tax?

 Jaclyn SYMES (Northern Victoria – Treasurer, Minister for Industrial Relations, Minister for Regional Development) (12:13): Mrs McArthur, I went through in some detail the application of the ESVF, which is replicated –

Bev McArthur interjected.

Jaclyn SYMES: Mrs McArthur, I explained that there are various ownerships of brigade and unit facilities. On the whole they should be receiving the public purpose rate, which is a lower rate. You are exempt on your farm or your primary place of residence through a rebate if you are a volunteer. There has been no change from the fire services property levy to the Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund, except for increased funding to the SES to help with any of those bills that they receive as landowners or land operators. In relation to the specific example of Portland, I will follow up and get them clarity on their situation, but I think I have given you all of –

Bev McArthur interjected.

Jaclyn SYMES: Mrs McArthur, I explained to you the difference between an exemption and the applicable rate.