Standing tall for farmers and CFA

HUNDREDS of people descended on a property in Bookaar to stand together against the State Government’s Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund (ESVF) levy last Sunday.

By wd-news

Politicians showed a united front to scrap the Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund levy at last Sunday’s Back the Bush barbecue.

People from across the south west district descended on Mt Elephant Ward councillor Nick Cole’s property to hear from a number of state politicians and other well-known figures as part of proceedings.

Speakers at the event included Member for Western Victoria Bev McArthur, Member for Polwarth Richard Riordan, Shadow Minister for Small and Medium Business Brad Battin, Pyrenees Shire councillor Tanya Kehoe, Member for Gippsland South Danny O’Brien, Member for Western Victoria Joe McCracken, United Firefighters Union of Australia’s Peter Marshall, and farmer Rob Armstrong, who has made a number of television appearances protesting the ESVF.

While the State Government announced a pause on the ESVF last Friday, Mrs McArthur said, the pause was welcomed but the “unjust tax” should have never been imposed.

“It should not have taken the incredible protest and public pressure from CFA brigades, farmers, councillors, professional firefighters and regional communities for Labor to realise how offensive this tax was,” she said.

“Volunteers who have protected their communities for generations were targeted by a government that’s completely out of touch with regional Victoria.

“The fact that up to 200 CFA brigades felt forced to take themselves offline shows just how deep the anger and sense of betrayal ran.

“It is unacceptable that this climb down only includes farmers in limited local government areas (LGA), worst affected by drought.

“Support for areas suffering is welcome, but the inherent unfairness of this tax affects farmers across Victoria. It should be cancelled for all LGA areas, and permanently.”

CFA volunteers were out in force to ‘Back the Bush’.

Cr Cole said he was very happy with attendance, which also included a number of Country Fire Authority (CFA) trucks and volunteers.

“I though it was good – there was a good crowd there, and everyone was there for exactly the same reason. They’re all sick of the government’s taxes and lack of action on drought – they’re taking us all for a ride,” he said.

“It was suggested by Bev McArthur – she said she wanted to run something in the area, and we were just chatting, so I offered the farm up because the shed is geared up for that sort of thing.

“It was good – one side was lacking, but that was to be expected. Labor never come to something too far out of town.

“What surprised me was we had a One Nation person there, and we had a Hunters, Fishers, Shooters person there.

“We had councillors from seven different councils, including some from Greater Geelong – I was more than happy with the politicians and the local government people who came – it was great representation.”

Other highlights included John Patterson reading a poem and the opportunity for attendees to speak with state politicians in a less formal setting.

Sausages were prepared by Lions volunteers, with protest signs and bumper stickers handed out to attendees throughout the event.

Cr Cole said he felt country people were being “railroaded” by the State Government but was pleased with the show of support from various groups.

“Peter Marshall, he was fired right up, and other unions are coming on board as well – they can all see the inequity in the whole system,” he said.

“Farmers and CFA volunteers are realising it’s not a good thing, and people in the city seem to be oblivious to it, so it’ll be interesting when they get their rates bills.

“Patto (Mr Patterson) did a great job – I’ve known Patto for a long time, but I’ve never heard him recite that poem.

“That was pretty special – something tugging the heartstrings a fair bit.

“He speaks it from the heart, too, because it was his brother.”

Speaking at the event, Mr Battin said farmers “simply couldn’t afford” the ESVF and was seeking a “definite scrap”.

“I’ve been out with a couple of farmers today, and there’s an even bigger crowd now with CFA volunteers as well as the farmers,” he said.

“It’s the hardest thing to do to speak to these farmers who are feeling it each and every day and are worried they are going to lose everything, and when you see genuinely fantastic generational farmers break down in tears because of the pressure they’re under, it just pulls at your heartstrings and says it’s time to act.

“This highlights the fact that it’s not just a one small region problem – this is everyone backing everyone. This is a tax on all properties across the whole state.

“It’s really important that we get it under control and actually get rid of it.

“This is not a one-off protest – I think there’s been 10-12 I’ve heard of, plus the big ones in Melbourne.

“This is sending a clear message to all Victorians – if you continue down this path with the current Labor Government, we’re going to have a problem with food production here in the future.”