Victoria Firefighters and Farmers Protest Unfair Fire Levy

Volunteer firefighters and farmers in regional Victoria are staging a dramatic protest against a new fire levy, bringing emergency services to a standstill in some towns. The Emergency Services Levy (ESVL), introduced by the state government, has sparked outrage among rural communities, who say the charges are unfairly high, particularly during a severe drought. "The government has literally done a backflip on us," says Peter Wettenhall, a farmer and CFA volunteer. "They're ripping off farmers left, right, and center." The protest has seen over 160 CFA brigades withdraw their trucks from service. Councillors from the affected areas, like Meg Edwards from Bass Coast, echo the sentiment, calling the tax "evil" and designed to hurt those already struggling. The CFA volunteers, often farmers themselves, provide crucial frontline emergency services, leaving communities exposed if they withdraw their services. The protests underscore the deep-seated frustration and financial strain felt by rural communities.