'This will cripple farmers': Thousands of firefighters protest emergency services tax
Thousands of firefighters with Victoria's Country Fire Authority and farmers have gathered in Melbourne's CBD to protest the Emergency Services levy.
The levy, announced ahead of the state budget today, will replace the former, cheaper fire services levy, which funds firefighting services in Victoria.
The new tax will be double its predecessor.
The protestors say the increase in tax will push already struggling farmers over the edge.
A protester carries a sign reading "Stop the steal", referring to the increase in the Emergency Services Levy.
Most of Victoria's rural firefighters are volunteers.
The increase in the levy has sparked concerns because local volunteers will be paying an emergency services tax for a job they do for free.
Thousands have taken to Melbourne's streets in protest of the levy.
Messages on the side of a firetruck heading to the protest reads "Ban Vic Tax" "Will cripple farmers" and "Honk your support."
Firetrucks line up on the way to a protest in Melbourne's CBD.
A protester holds a sign in support of local farmers.
Many people atteneidng the [protest are farers, who say the increase in tax would cripple their already slim profit margins.
"Support Aussie farmers + local CFA," the sign reads.
"No farmers + no food."
Dozens of firetrucks descended onto Melbourne's CBD in protest of the levy.
It will be up to local councils to collect the levy as part of the annual rates bill.
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