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Delayed Report Stokes Volunteer Firefighter Funding Row
Government grants to Victoria's Country Fire Authority rose to $361.3 million in 2024-25 despite a $50 million operating deficit and ongoing financial sustainability challenges.
- On Tuesday, the CFA's delayed 2024-25 annual report was tabled in Victorian parliament, revealing $361.3 million in state grants despite a $50 million operating deficit.
- PBO data shows recent grant declines since 2020-21, with funding falling from $351.6 million to $339.5 million as CFA accounts include $72.4 million from Fire Rescue Victoria services, totaling $477.4 million last year.
- Operational data show CFA volunteers ran 202 planned burns treating 4,774 hectares, while 147 emergency response vehicles and eight stations raised CFA assets by $106 million.
- Premier Jacinta Allan defended the government's CFA funding last week amid criticism, while Emergency Services Minister Vicki Ward said she received the report on December 18 and called criticism `mischief making`. The Victorian Opposition and volunteer firefighters maintained claims of underfunding in parliament.
- Financially the authority showed an improved net operating loss of $51.8 million, despite increased support from government grants, after earlier bushfires burned over 413,000 hectares.
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16 Articles
Coverage Details
Total News Sources16
Leaning Left9Leaning Right2Center1Last UpdatedBias Distribution75% Left
Bias Distribution
- 75% of the sources lean Left
75% Left
L 75%
R 17%
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