Agriculture

Victoria Freezes Farm Emergency Levy Amid Drought Crisis

Published MAY 30 2025

Story

Above: Premier of Victoria Jacinta Allan is seen during Melbourne Cup Day at Flemington Racecourse on Nov. 5, 2024, in Melbourne, Australia. Image credit: Josh Chadwick/Stringer/Getty Images Sport via Getty Images

The Facts

The state government of Victoria, Australia, announced Friday a temporary pause on the Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund (ESVF) tax increase for all primary production properties, maintaining the 2024/25 rate for the coming financial year.
Sky News
ABC
The government unveiled an additional AU$37.7 million ($24.2 million) drought relief package, offering statewide grants of AU$5,000 for farmers and increased infrastructure grants of AU$10,000 in 11 council areas, expanding support for water carting and pasture re-establishment across Victoria.
The Age
ABC
The original ESVF levy would have increased charges from 28.7 cents to 71.8 cents per AU$1,000 of property value for farmers, while residential charges were set to rise from 8.7 cents to 17.3 cents, aiming to raise an extra AU$2.1 billion over three years.
Katherine Times
The Age
A new drought response task force has been established, including government officials, opposition members, farming groups, mental health organizations, and councils, to determine further support measures as conditions worsen across the state.
The Age
ABC
Agriculture Victoria reported May rainfall at the "worst-case scenario" levels, with most of the state receiving 20% or less than the typical rainfall average, leading to rapidly deteriorating conditions for farmers across Victoria. Rainfall was also low last autumn.
The Sydney Morning Herald
The Age
Katherine Times
The move will reportedly impact the budget by AU$73 million, though Treasurer Jaclyn Symes maintains confidence in delivering an AU$600 million operating surplus in 2025/26. Many farmers, however, have praised the pause, with some saying they were set to face a 150% tax hike.
Katherine Times
Sky News
Seymour Telegraph

Sources Split

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ESTAB

The Spin

Government-critical narrative

This levy increase unfairly burdens regional communities, especially farmers and CFA volunteers who are already strained by cost-of-living pressures. What's worse, it taxes those who selflessly serve their communities, like firefighters, which is likely why it was passed covertly. If the government cares about the well-being of its people, it has a duty to scrap the tax entirely, not just issue a pause.

Sky News

Pro-government narrative

This levy is vital to fund emergency services facing rising climate-driven disasters. This is why the government, through constructive dialogue, has eased farmer rates and offered rebates for volunteers and drought-affected areas. A temporary pause will allow further discussion surrounding balancing economic pressure and fighting climate change.

ABC