AS details emerge of how Victoria's new emergency services volunteer levy (ESVL) will impact primary producers, the state's leading farmers group has demanded the government refer the new tax to a parliamentary inquiry.
The Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) is calling on the Victorian Parliament to take immediate action and refer the 'deeply flawed' ESVL bill to a parliamentary inquiry, as it faced debate in the upper house last week.
VFF president Brett Hosking slammed the new tax as a 'blatant cash grab' and said a parliamentary inquiry was needed to ensure the community had a voice in the process.
"This bill was introduced without a single conversation with farmers or rural Victorians," Mr Hosking said.
"Now the government wants to ram it through parliament with no scrutiny and no consultation.
"That is completely unacceptable.”
Mr Hosking said the vast majority of farmers would not be eligible for any exemption.
"The Upper House must step in and stop this reckless attack on the farming community," he said.
"The median fire services levy for primary producers will skyrocket by 109 per cent from $621 to $1299 per assessment, with some landholders facing hikes in the tens of thousands of dollars.
"If this Bill is not sent to a formal inquiry for proper review, it will be an absolute betrayal of rural Victoria.”
Mr Hosking was also critical that residential property owners would see an increase of only 32 per cent.
“This government is shifting the cost burden onto those who can least afford it - how is that fair?
"Farmers will be forced to absorb yet another cost or try and find a way to pass it through the supply chain, adding to the family grocery bills.
A government spokesperson said in a statement that the increase to the average farm would be around $13 per week ($676 per year) and would deliver more funding, resources and equipment for CFA and SES volunteers.
“We will always back our hard-working farmers - that's why we've slashed payroll tax for primary producers and have exempted them from land tax," the spokesperson said.
“The ESVF is about making sure our emergency services have the sustainable funding and equipment they need to keep Victorians safe and to recover from natural disasters which so often impact farmers and their properties”
The statement said the treasurer had met with regional councils about the implementation of the ESVF and that the government would continue to work closely with them.
It also said the burden of administration would be taken off councils, by administering the rebate for eligible CFA and VICSES members and providing additional funding to support councils in the fund's implementation.
Mr Hosking said the VFF would not let up on its opposition to the bill and highlighted the 'very real' destruction it would cause.
"Victorian farmers are already doing it tough - this year we have been battling drought, bushfires, and skyrocketing expenses.
"This tax hike will push many businesses to the wall.
"The government must stop this madness immediately."