Community
23 May, 2025
Small brigades protest in big city
WITH many Country Fire Authority (CFA) brigades protesting the State Government’s Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund (ESVF) at Tuesday’s satellite rallies in Camperdown and Warrnambool, six brigades took their voices to Melbourne.
The Derrinallum, Lismore, Darlington, Pura Pura, Vite Vite and Cressy brigades attended the rally held at the steps of Parliament to be among the thousands of CFA volunteers and farmers protesting the levy.
Derrinallum CFA brigade lieutenant Steve Bignell said he felt a need to be among the masses in Melbourne.
“I felt we needed to help with the visual impact in Melbourne as opposed to the local impact – the local rallies were important in and around the local area, but we wanted to be part of the one in Melbourne,” he said.
“I’m happy to support them, and I feel it’s needed.
“It’s not a protest against the CFA by any means – the CFA is caught in the middle of it, between farmers, community members and businesses that are impacted by this tax and the government implementing it.
“Because they’re going to be taxing those people who also don’t charge for any services given in the CFA, we feel it’s an unfair tax for the community.
“It’s a lot of money being ripped out of communities and ending up in Melbourne to plug hole sin the Melbourne government’s mismanagement of Victoria’s funds.”
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