Media Releases

Member for Shepparton, Jeanette Powell announced today the Victorian Coalition Government is delivering on its promise to introduce a fairer and more equitable Fire Services Levy (FSL).

Mrs Powell said the Victorian Coalition Government has released a community consultation paper for a fairer, more equitable system to fund fire services in Victoria.

“The Government has adopted all Bushfires Royal Commission recommendations including the replacement of the FSL with a property-based levy with concessions for low income earners,” Mrs Powell said.

“I have objected to the unfairness of this levy many times in Parliament and am pleased the Victorian Liberal Nationals Government is progressing the issue.

“The new levy will ensure all Victorian property owners pay a fair contribution to our fire services, while making sure Victoria’s fire services continue to operate equitably and with sufficient resources.

“Every Victorian understands the need to have well-funded fire fighting services and the release of the consultation paper is an important step in implementing this new approach.

“I encourage all interested residents of the Shepparton District to read the consultation paper and make submissions,” Mrs Powell said.

The consultation paper is available at www.dtf.vic.gov.au and submissions close on 30 September.

The Coalition Government intends to introduce legislation in early 2012. There will be a transition period that will commence on 1 July 2012 to allow insurers to phase out the FSL prior to full implementation from 1 July 2013.

The Brumby Government has reluctantly accepted the Bushfire Royal Commission’s recommendation to replace Victoria’s inequitable insurance-based Fire Services Levy (FSL) with a fairer property-based system.
Member for Shepparton, Jeanette Powell said after many years of intense pressure for reform from the Victorian Liberal Nationals Coalition, John Brumby has finally been forced to acknowledge how unfair and inequitable the FSL has been.
“For years John Brumby has said that the current FSL was fair and did not need to be changed,” Mrs Powell said.
“The Coalition has lobbied for a more equitable and fair FSL for years and now the Royal Commission has vindicated our position.
“We have argued that it must be possible to find a way that does not lead to tax being paid on tax, which is what happens now.
“However, the changes to the FSL will not be implemented until July 2012.
“Many organisations including Victorian Farmers Federation and Association of Independent Retirees (AIR) as well as insurance companies have called for change to the FSL.
“I met with committee members of the GV Branch of AIR today and they welcomed the decision and praised former member the late Keith Wall who in 2005 initiated a campaign to bring about a more equitable levy.
“I have raised the issue of the unfair FSL levy many times in Parliament and am pleased to finally see the government using some commonsense.”
Mrs Powell said Labor has deliberately ignored numerous reports and advice from as far back as 2001 that have said the FSL was inequitable and in desperate need of reform.
“Even in its official submission to the Bushfires Royal Commission, the Brumby Government said the Commission should not make any recommendations on the matter,” Mrs Powell said.
“For years the Brumby Government did not care about the expense of the FSL on Victorians, now thankfully it has been forced into action,” Mrs Powell said.