Ref: https://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/bills/Pages/bill-details.aspx?pk=3372
The following content is an extract from the second reading of the Fire and Emergency Services Levy Bill 2017 (FESL). We have also included the complete documents as downloads (below)
The VFFA has been campaigning for a property based levy since 2004. We published an article in 2012 on this web site, click HERE to read that article. We also published a media release, click HERE.
The only concerns that the VFFA have are:
- We need to make sure that insurance companies do the right thing and pass on the savings (the bill has attempted to addresses this)
- We need to ensure that the BIG BUSINESS elements of firefighting (by government departments and contractors) do not see the variable “ad valorem rate” as a means to obtain more income.
- Working in parallel with this legislation, we need to embrace improved land management practices, increased ecological burning programs and improved programs to increase the sustainability of farming.
If we work together to reduce the likelihood and severity of fires (see point 3 above), this bill has the potential to greatly reduce the funding costs to insured persons, thus providing a fairer and more sustainable future.
Extract from the second reading in the Legislative Assembly
The Fire and Emergency Services Levy Bill will establish a fairer way of providing the funds needed by our fire and emergency services – Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW), the NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS) and the New South Wales State Emergency Service (SES). This bill will abolish the insurance based Emergency Services Levy (ESL) and introduce in its place a Fire and Emergency Services Levy (FESL).
Why are we making the change?
Under the existing insurance – based Emergency Services Levy (ESL) most of the cost of our fire and emergency services is borne only by people who insure their properties. Once the Fire and Emergency Services Levy is introduced, the contribution will be spread across every property in New South Wales. It is a fairer way of raising the same amount of money for the vital services that protect life and property.
You can download the bill and the second reading below:
| Fire and Emergency Services Levy Bill 2017 |  |
| Fire and Emergency Services Levy Bill 2017, Second Reading | |
Feel free to provide comments below.