Wednesday, 3 June 2026

 Jaclyn SYMES (Northern Victoria – Treasurer, Minister for Industrial Relations, Minister for Development Victoria and Precincts) (12:20): I would like to update the house about how the Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund one year on is providing increased funding for our emergency services agencies. Home owners are actually now aware that there was a lot of information around, particularly when the fund started. They now know that their bill did not double. They know that farmers are not paying more, and they are seeing SES and CFA trucks rolling out right across the state. I can confirm that for the coming financial year I have made no changes to the variable rate on properties across Victoria. This means that the rates are the same as last year. I have also lifted the rebate cap on primary production land value from $5 million to $10 million. Under the ESVF farmers who are also eligible volunteers continue to receive a tax cut, paying nothing or less compared to the old system.

As I outlined in the committee for Mr McGowan last night, I have the opportunity to provide some information to the chamber in relation to base funding.

Nick McGowan: On a point of order, President, I know it is somewhat difficult to make a point of order on a ministers statement, but nonetheless, in respect to misleading this house, it is physically impossible for that fund to have actually funded any of the new appliances.

Members interjecting.

Nick McGowan: It is important because it relates to whether this house has been misled, regardless of the format that that has taken. It is physically impossible for that tax to actually have delivered a single appliance since the institution of that tax.

The PRESIDENT: It is not a point of order. As far as ministers statements are concerned, the standing orders say the minister may make a statement, and that is about it.

Jaclyn SYMES: As I outlined last night, the CFA’s baseline funding from the ESVF will be boosted by $46 million this year. SES is increasing by $29 million, taking its budget to over $100 million for the first time.

Wendy Lovell: On a point of order, President, in the words of Shannon Deery, I think the Treasurer’s pants may be on fire.

The PRESIDENT: Ms Lovell, hopefully it will not happen again, but because of the good work you do as Deputy President I will give you leeway and not send you on an early lunch. But that was very close.

Jaclyn SYMES: This is exactly what I expect from those opposite. When we have evidence of baseline funding increases of $46 million for the CFA, $29 million for SES and $68 million increases to FRV, just wait for the scare campaign and the misinformation that somehow that is a cut. Go and spin that, Ms Lovell, into the millions of dollars apparently – despite the fact that I might need someone to extinguish my pants accordingly. There will be increased funding, and I wait to see how you will interpret that and mislead your communities in a shameful manner.

The government of course provides much more funding than is provided under the ESVF. This year there is $2.4 billion – far above what is collected by the ESVF – that will go to emergency services. But we know what those opposite will do. They will cut the ESVF – (Time expired)