The Victorian Opposition has announced its intention to “scrap” Labor’s Emergency Services Property Levy (ESVF), as a tax “that rips $765 million a year from Victorian families, farmers and small businesses under the guise of supporting emergency services.”
Labelled a “land tax by stealth,” the levy has, according to the Coalition, doubled or even tripled charges for property owners across the state, with primary producers hit hardest — facing rate hikes of up to 150 per cent.
Under Labor’s changes, a typical home valued at $1 million now attracts a $309 annual charge. Small businesses and farmers are reportedly paying thousands more, with no guarantee the money will go to frontline services.
Leader of the Opposition Brad Battin said the Allan Labor Government “again” using a “heartless tax hike” to plug its budget black hole.
“For many Greek Australian families, home ownership isn’t just about bricks and mortar — it’s about stability, security, and building something for the next generation,” Battin told Neos Kosmos.
“Labor’s relentless land tax hikes are punishing those who’ve worked hard, saved, and invested in a second property to support their children or care for ageing parents.”
“These aren’t billionaires — they’re everyday Victorians who believed in the promise that if you worked hard, you could build a better future for your family. That promise is being broken.
“The Liberals and Nationals will fight to restore fairness and stop punishing the very people who’ve built this state through sacrifice, family values, and hard work.”
Battin also said that “only Labor could try and spin a massive land tax as support for volunteers.”
“This is not about emergency services – it’s about squeezing more cash from Victorians to pay for Labor’s budget blowouts,” he said.
He added that emergency services volunteers deserve genuine support — not confusing rebate schemes and false promises.
“Labor has failed to respect our CFA and SES volunteers. Their funding model is based on deception, and we will scrap it.”
Speaking further with Neos Kosmos, Battin said, “Slugging farmers with a 150 per cent increase to what they previously paid is nothing short of callous amid a drought and a cost-of-living crisis.”
He said that Labor’s Emergency Services Property Levy would be dumped in favour of a “simpler, fairer Fire Services Property Levy.”
SES funding, Battin said, would be secured transparently through the State Budget — “not hidden inside property rates.”
