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Dozens of Firetrucks Descend on Melbourne CBD in Protest
- On May 20, 2025, hundreds of fire trucks and volunteers assembled in Melbourne's central business district to demonstrate against the newly introduced emergency services tax coinciding with state budget day.
- The protest followed the government's December announcement replacing a cheaper fire services tax with a levy designed to raise $2.14 billion over three years.
- Protesters included CFA volunteers and farmers who argued the levy imposes severe financial strain, with some farmers facing bills up to $40,000 and rebates applying only to primary residences.
- Captain Toby Acocks criticized the random allocation of a new $110-million tanker to his brigade, which did not need it, and expressed volunteers' frustration over the tax.
- The protest highlighted deep discontent in rural communities over the levy, while the government stated the fund supports emergency services amid increasing natural disasters.
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Firies and farmers head to Melbourne to vent anger over emergency levy
Volunteer firefighters and farmers say the Victorian government's new tax is "totally unfair" and will send communities to the wall. As the budget looms, they are in the state capital to raise their voices.
·Australia
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Total News Sources19
Leaning Left5Leaning Right2Center0Last UpdatedBias Distribution71% Left
Bias Distribution
- 71% of the sources lean Left
71% Left
L 71%
R 29%
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