1 September 2015
The Melbourne Labor Government is putting its hands deeper and deeper into the pockets of local ratepayers by significantly increasing the fire services property levy (FSPL).
With more than 20 000 rate notices being sent out to properties across the Campaspe Shire this week Member for Murray Plains Peter Walsh is urging ratepayers to check their rate notices for the actual increase in fire services property levy (FSPL) for the new financial year.
Mr Walsh said that FSPL rates in the Campaspe Shire have been calculated to rise by 7.7 per cent due to the Melbourne Labor Government’s decision to significantly increase the amount of money raised from the FSPL across the state.
“All property owners including residential commercial businesses and farmers churches and sporting clubs will face the FSPL increase.”
Mr Walsh said the Victorian Labor Party gave a pre-election pledge of $141 million to employ 350 CFA and 100 MFB firefighters over four years should it be elected to government. In turn the Firefighters Union delivered for Daniel Andrews by campaigning for the Labor Party.
“Labor gave no explanation of how they were going to fund this extraordinary promise” Mr Walsh said.
“It is now abundantly clear that the Melbourne Labor Government in only its first budget intends to hit Victorian property owners with a significant increase in the FSPL to deliver the outstanding IOU to the United Firefighters Union “ Mr Walsh said.
“Country communities will once again really hurt at the expense of the excessive demands of the Premier’s union mates “ Mr Walsh said.