Farmers and Firefighters Protest New Fire Tax in Fiery Melbourne Demonstration

Victorian farmers and firefighters staged a fiery protest outside the Victorian Parliament on State Budget day, May 20, 2025, to voice their outrage over a new fire tax. Many farmers, already battling drought and soaring costs, see the tax as a "kick in the guts." One firefighter interviewed stated, "It's a huge levy to put on farmers, all of us volunteer firefighters. We spent the whole summer defending the Grampians, and for them to then go and put this huge tax on us to pay for their debts is insanity." A farmer added, "It's not related to income, it's not related to productivity. It's just a tax grab." The protest underscores the financial strain on rural communities and highlights the need for government support during times of drought and economic hardship. The large turnout demonstrates the widespread opposition to the new tax.