Taxation & the ESVF Levy

Victoria’s tax burdens have created a complex web of financial obligations that are increasingly undermining development, investment, industry and visitation for the regions.

High energy costs coupled with unfavourable economic policies including a punishing land tax regime, soaring WorkCover premiums, excessive mining royalties and the short stay levy are deterrents for economic growth in the regions.

Even the hard-fought reduced regional payroll tax rate does not offset the high operational costs, regulatory complexities, and economic instability facing businesses in regional Victoria.

Critically, the introduction of the Emergency Services Volunteer Fund (ESVF) will unfairly burden rural and regional economies already at the mercy of drought, water insecurity and cost of living pressures.

Despite clear and repeated objections from many of rural and regional councils across the state regarding the ESVF, the Victorian Government continues to dismiss these concerns.

The disproportionate burden this tax places on Victoria’s primary producers is deeply unfair and callously inequitable, and it was developed and proposed with minimal input from the very communities it will most affect.

The ESVF is a tax. It will be directed to services currently funded by consolidated revenue and should therefore be collected by the State Revenue Office, not local government.

RCV remains steadfastly opposed to the introduction of the ESVF.

ASK: The State Government abandon the ESVF in the interest of equity, sustainability, and fairness. The State Government reform the complex and burdensome system of taxes, levies, and duties challenging business growth and economic prosperity in regional Victoria.