Tuesday, 16 June 2026

 Bev McARTHUR (Western Victoria) (12:36): (1355) My question is to the Treasurer. On Sunday I was in Bendigo listening to FRV members, CFA volunteers, farmers and a thousand regional Victorians who want to see an end to your emergency services tax. As Treasurer, why didn’t you attend this rally to listen to the concerns about your tax raised in Bendigo, right in the heart of the Premier’s and your electorate?

 Jaclyn SYMES (Northern Victoria – Treasurer, Minister for Industrial Relations, Minister for Development Victoria and Precincts) (12:37): I thank Mrs McArthur for her question. Of course it is important to always listen to and engage with Victorians and when it comes to the Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund ensure that we are continuing to tell people about the importance of this fund and what it provides for the Victorian community. In one of the most fire-prone areas in the country – and floods, storms – supporting our volunteers and paid personnel is so important. Having a sustainable funding model is something that we must indeed continue to support. Mrs McArthur, we know that we are collecting around $1.5 billion in 2025–26 – forecast to collect slightly more next year – making sure that that is going into the emergency services response that this state needs.

A member interjected.

Jaclyn SYMES: I will take up your interjection. What I am concerned about, and this is why I continue to talk to people out in country Victoria, is when there are those out there saying that farmers are paying more when they are not, when they are out there saying volunteers are paying the tax and they are not. This is something where we will continue to talk to country Victoria. There are many, many volunteers out there that are jack of being politicised by those opposite. They are jack of being used as political pawns, when really all they want to do is turn up to their stations, hang out with their mates and support their communities, and they welcome the investment from the ESVF and support from the Labor government.

 Bev McARTHUR (Western Victoria) (12:38): Thank you, Treasurer. Well, I am sure they will all be very pleased to hear that you do not care anything about the fact that you have taxed them to the hilt and they are not exempt. So did you not attend because you were too afraid to hear the feedback? Perhaps you were on the phone to your colleagues. Perhaps with her approval rating of negative 37 you did not want to be associated with the Premier. I cannot say I blame you, but Treasurer, why weren’t you there?

Members interjecting.

The PRESIDENT: Order! All sides of the chamber are going a bit nuts.

Wendy Lovell interjected.

The DEPUTY PRESIDENT: Okay. For the rest of question time, the Deputy President says, this side of the chamber is not going to make any noise. I appreciate that.

Wendy Lovell: On a point of order, President, I just do not think that you heard clearly what I said. I said that at the point that you said all sides of the chamber were a bit unruly, our side was not saying anything.

The PRESIDENT: I will take that technicality on board. Mrs McArthur to finish her question.

Bev McARTHUR: Treasurer, why won’t you listen to the thousands of CFA volunteers, farmers, unionists and community members who want this tax gone?

The PRESIDENT: There is a lot in that, so the minister can answer as she sees fit.

 Jaclyn SYMES (Northern Victoria – Treasurer, Minister for Industrial Relations, Minister for Development Victoria and Precincts) (12:40): Of course, Mrs McArthur, I am listening to Victorians every day, but what I promise to do is to be truthful to Victorians. I promise when it comes to the Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund I will continue to put out information that is accurate. I will continue to talk about the investments that are made possible because of this fund. I will continue to talk to farmers about the fact that they are not paying any more as a result of the ESVF.

Bev McArthur: They are.

Jaclyn SYMES: Well, if they are, send them to me, because there is obviously something quite wrong. If you are happy to stand up –

Members interjecting.

Jaclyn SYMES: I am sorry, Mrs McArthur, that our side interrupted your Instagram script. But what I will continue to do is talk to Victorians with accurate information. I am more than happy to provide the accurate information to you, Mrs McArthur, so you can also be truthful.