240% Fire Levy rise over 12 Labor budgets
NSW Councils have been forced to hand over another $3 million by the Iemma Labor Government through the fire levy it imposes on Councils, Shadow Minister for Emergency Services Andrew Humpherson said today.
“Fire Services in NSW are part funded through hidden fire levies on homeowners through their insurance and Council rates,” Mr Humpherson said.
“This year Councils are being forced to hand over to the Government $60 million – an increase of 5.3 % on last year,” he said.
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“The Government’s fire levy imposed on Councils has increased by 240% since Labor came to government in NSW. In 1994/95 it collected $25 million, in this month’s budget it’s risen to $60 million.
“This is an average annual impost on Councils and ratepayers which has increased 12% per annum over the time of the Labor Government.
“Labor has gouged an extra $215 million from local councils and ratepayers over the last 12 years.
“This is a major reason why Councils are forced to increase their rates.
“Many people are unaware they pay for this hidden tax in their Council rates nor do they realise the extent to which the State Labor Government treats them as a cash cow leaving Council’s to be blamed for the increases.
"Many people wouldn't even know that they paying a fire levy, let alone that they've been slugged with massive increases every year for more than a decade," Mr Humpherson said.
"Fire levies are set by the State Government while insurance companies and councils are forced to collect the revenue from property owners and households and pay it to Premier Iemma," Mr Humpherson said.
The State Opposition will next week host in Dubbo the first in a series of public rallies against the inequitable collection of the Fire Services Levy.
The Opposition is inviting the Central West community to turn out at 7pm at the Dubbo RSL Club to voice their opposition to being taken for a ride by this State Government.
The meeting is jointly hosted by Dubbo Nationals candidate Greg Matthews and Opposition Shadow Minister for Emergency Services Andrew Humpherson.
The State Government raises $540 million a year from the fire levy toward fire services by imposing hidden taxes on homeowner insurance premiums and household Council rates.
"Landholders in country areas are reporting increases in the Fire Levy component of their insurances of around 40%," Mr Humpherson said.
"That is not only unsustainable, that is highway robbery by the Iemma Government, which is trying to dodge the blame by saying it has raised the levy this year by only 20%.
"The Opposition wants an overhaul of the system of collection for the Fire Levy.
"People who don't insure or big business which insures 'offshore' are avoiding paying their fair share of the fire service levy.
"The Labor Government likewise is paying far less into the Fire Levy than it should be.
"It is avoiding its responsibility and yet patting itself on the back by claiming it has pumped record amounts into emergency service funding.
"The only record the Government is responsible for is record increases in the demands on the taxpayer.
The Carr/Iemma Government has increased the Fire Levy by 152% over 12 straight budgets.
"Instead of facing up to its responsibilities it has been fleecing the taxpayers for too long hoping no one would notice the massive "hidden tax" increases every year.
"Well, it has been found out and the people of NSW have had enough -How can anyone be expected to cop 20 to 40 percent increases in Fire Levies in one year?
"Landholders and businesses in country areas are hurting already and this increase is another slap in the face," said Nationals candidate for Dubbo Greg Matthews.
"I encourage everyone concerned about this issue to turn out in Dubbo on the evening of the 12th," Mr Matthews concluded.
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