❓ Question regarding an increase to the Emergency Services Levy (ESL) and a reduction in government funding to FESA. The Minister acknowledges past comments and justifies the increase due to recent disasters and the need to properly equip emergency services.
AnsweredQoN 279Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
EMERGENCY SERVICES LEVY
In 2002, the minister railed against the prospect of the emergency services levy being used to reduce the government’s allocation to the Fire and Emergency Services Authority at the expense of Western Australian ratepayers. The minister said — What upsets me is the fact that the Government cannot help slugging the poor old taxpayers in Western Australia all the way along the line. (1) Will the minister confirm that from July an average household will be paying $28 extra on the emergency services levy, netting the government an additional $24 million in revenue? (2) Will the minister further confirm that at the same time as householders are being slugged with this additional fee, the government is reducing its contribution to FESA by $28 million? (3) Why has the government done this? Mr R.F. JOHNSON
In 2002, the minister railed against the prospect of the emergency services levy being used to reduce the government’s allocation to the Fire and Emergency Services Authority at the expense of Western Australian ratepayers. The minister said — What upsets me is the fact that the Government cannot help slugging the poor old taxpayers in Western Australia all the way along the line. (1) Will the minister confirm that from July an average household will be paying $28 extra on the emergency services levy, netting the government an additional $24 million in revenue? (2) Will the minister further confirm that at the same time as householders are being slugged with this additional fee, the government is reducing its contribution to FESA by $28 million? (3) Why has the government done this? Mr R.F. JOHNSON
AnswerView source ↗
(1)–(3) We all have said things in the past that sometimes come back to bite us; I accept that. I think that was when the former government introduced the emergency services levy and there was a lot of — Mrs M.H. Roberts interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The member can ask a question later on. I am answering the member for Girrawheen’s question. At the time, there was a lot of backlash from local governments and the community in general. The ESL was required because not everyone insured their home, even though they still attracted the services of our fire brigades, which saved lives and property. I accept now and I accepted then that the fairest way to pay for the emergency services is to have a levy on every household so that people pay for the services of our emergency services, particularly, in this case, the fire brigades, whether or not people are insured. I made the comment to which the member referred some time ago, when I was in my youth. The member for Girrawheen is quite right. The anticipated average emergency services levy for all metropolitan households is $28. It will actually be $27, not that that makes any difference. After the budget papers went to print, there was a recalculation. That does not affect the total amount, but I am told that the amount will be $27. I am sure that $1 is neither here nor there. The reason I agreed to this and why it needed to be done this year is that following the tragic bushfires in Victoria and Toodyay, and following the earthquakes, hailstorms and flooding, an enormous amount of work needs to be done and we must ensure that our emergency services personnel have the necessary facilities, equipment and personnel to cope with those sorts of emergencies. I accept that it is quite a big chunk this year. It is not one that I feel comfortable about, but I believe it is essential to ensure that our firefighters, emergency services volunteers and bush fire brigades can have the right equipment and personnel to be able to do their jobs properly. I accept that it has come in, but it had to come in this year. I am absolutely confident that in the ensuing years there will be very minor increases to the ESL. Because of the tragic events that we have seen over the past 12 or 18 months, I regret to say that we have had to increase the emergency services levy.
(2) Will the minister further confirm that at the same time as householders are being slugged with this additional fee, the government is reducing its contribution to FESA by $28 million? (3) Why has the government done this? Mr R.F. JOHNSON replied: (1)–(3) We all have said things in the past that sometimes come back to bite us; I accept that. I think that was when the former government introduced the emergency services levy and there was a lot of — Mrs M.H. Roberts interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The member can ask a question later on. I am answering the member for Girrawheen’s question. At the time, there was a lot of backlash from local governments and the community in general. The ESL was required because not everyone insured their home, even though they still attracted the services of our fire brigades, which saved lives and property. I accept now and I accepted then that the fairest way to pay for the emergency services is to have a levy on every household so that people pay for the services of our emergency services, particularly, in this case, the fire brigades, whether or not people are insured. I made the comment to which the member referred some time ago, when I was in my youth. The member for Girrawheen is quite right. The anticipated average emergency services levy for all metropolitan households is $28. It will actually be $27, not that that makes any difference. After the budget papers went to print, there was a recalculation. That does not affect the total amount, but I am told that the amount will be $27. I am sure that $1 is neither here nor there. The reason I agreed to this and why it needed to be done this year is that following the tragic bushfires in Victoria and Toodyay, and following the earthquakes, hailstorms and flooding, an enormous amount of work needs to be done and we must ensure that our emergency services personnel have the necessary facilities, equipment and personnel to cope with those sorts of emergencies. I accept that it is quite a big chunk this year. It is not one that I feel comfortable about, but I believe it is essential to ensure that our firefighters, emergency services volunteers and bush fire brigades can have the right equipment and personnel to be able to do their jobs properly. I accept that it has come in, but it had to come in this year. I am absolutely confident that in the ensuing years there will be very minor increases to the ESL. Because of the tragic events that we have seen over the past 12 or 18 months, I regret to say that we have had to increase the emergency services levy.
(3) Why has the government done this? Mr R.F. JOHNSON replied: (1)–(3) We all have said things in the past that sometimes come back to bite us; I accept that. I think that was when the former government introduced the emergency services levy and there was a lot of — Mrs M.H. Roberts interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The member can ask a question later on. I am answering the member for Girrawheen’s question. At the time, there was a lot of backlash from local governments and the community in general. The ESL was required because not everyone insured their home, even though they still attracted the services of our fire brigades, which saved lives and property. I accept now and I accepted then that the fairest way to pay for the emergency services is to have a levy on every household so that people pay for the services of our emergency services, particularly, in this case, the fire brigades, whether or not people are insured. I made the comment to which the member referred some time ago, when I was in my youth. The member for Girrawheen is quite right. The anticipated average emergency services levy for all metropolitan households is $28. It will actually be $27, not that that makes any difference. After the budget papers went to print, there was a recalculation. That does not affect the total amount, but I am told that the amount will be $27. I am sure that $1 is neither here nor there. The reason I agreed to this and why it needed to be done this year is that following the tragic bushfires in Victoria and Toodyay, and following the earthquakes, hailstorms and flooding, an enormous amount of work needs to be done and we must ensure that our emergency services personnel have the necessary facilities, equipment and personnel to cope with those sorts of emergencies. I accept that it is quite a big chunk this year. It is not one that I feel comfortable about, but I believe it is essential to ensure that our firefighters, emergency services volunteers and bush fire brigades can have the right equipment and personnel to be able to do their jobs properly. I accept that it has come in, but it had to come in this year. I am absolutely confident that in the ensuing years there will be very minor increases to the ESL. Because of the tragic events that we have seen over the past 12 or 18 months, I regret to say that we have had to increase the emergency services levy.
Mr R.F. JOHNSON replied: (1)–(3) We all have said things in the past that sometimes come back to bite us; I accept that. I think that was when the former government introduced the emergency services levy and there was a lot of — Mrs M.H. Roberts interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The member can ask a question later on. I am answering the member for Girrawheen’s question. At the time, there was a lot of backlash from local governments and the community in general. The ESL was required because not everyone insured their home, even though they still attracted the services of our fire brigades, which saved lives and property. I accept now and I accepted then that the fairest way to pay for the emergency services is to have a levy on every household so that people pay for the services of our emergency services, particularly, in this case, the fire brigades, whether or not people are insured. I made the comment to which the member referred some time ago, when I was in my youth. The member for Girrawheen is quite right. The anticipated average emergency services levy for all metropolitan households is $28. It will actually be $27, not that that makes any difference. After the budget papers went to print, there was a recalculation. That does not affect the total amount, but I am told that the amount will be $27. I am sure that $1 is neither here nor there. The reason I agreed to this and why it needed to be done this year is that following the tragic bushfires in Victoria and Toodyay, and following the earthquakes, hailstorms and flooding, an enormous amount of work needs to be done and we must ensure that our emergency services personnel have the necessary facilities, equipment and personnel to cope with those sorts of emergencies. I accept that it is quite a big chunk this year. It is not one that I feel comfortable about, but I believe it is essential to ensure that our firefighters, emergency services volunteers and bush fire brigades can have the right equipment and personnel to be able to do their jobs properly. I accept that it has come in, but it had to come in this year. I am absolutely confident that in the ensuing years there will be very minor increases to the ESL. Because of the tragic events that we have seen over the past 12 or 18 months, I regret to say that we have had to increase the emergency services levy.
(1)–(3) We all have said things in the past that sometimes come back to bite us; I accept that. I think that was when the former government introduced the emergency services levy and there was a lot of — Mrs M.H. Roberts interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The member can ask a question later on. I am answering the member for Girrawheen’s question. At the time, there was a lot of backlash from local governments and the community in general. The ESL was required because not everyone insured their home, even though they still attracted the services of our fire brigades, which saved lives and property. I accept now and I accepted then that the fairest way to pay for the emergency services is to have a levy on every household so that people pay for the services of our emergency services, particularly, in this case, the fire brigades, whether or not people are insured. I made the comment to which the member referred some time ago, when I was in my youth. The member for Girrawheen is quite right. The anticipated average emergency services levy for all metropolitan households is $28. It will actually be $27, not that that makes any difference. After the budget papers went to print, there was a recalculation. That does not affect the total amount, but I am told that the amount will be $27. I am sure that $1 is neither here nor there. The reason I agreed to this and why it needed to be done this year is that following the tragic bushfires in Victoria and Toodyay, and following the earthquakes, hailstorms and flooding, an enormous amount of work needs to be done and we must ensure that our emergency services personnel have the necessary facilities, equipment and personnel to cope with those sorts of emergencies. I accept that it is quite a big chunk this year. It is not one that I feel comfortable about, but I believe it is essential to ensure that our firefighters, emergency services volunteers and bush fire brigades can have the right equipment and personnel to be able to do their jobs properly. I accept that it has come in, but it had to come in this year. I am absolutely confident that in the ensuing years there will be very minor increases to the ESL. Because of the tragic events that we have seen over the past 12 or 18 months, I regret to say that we have had to increase the emergency services levy.
Mrs M.H. Roberts interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The member can ask a question later on. I am answering the member for Girrawheen’s question. At the time, there was a lot of backlash from local governments and the community in general. The ESL was required because not everyone insured their home, even though they still attracted the services of our fire brigades, which saved lives and property. I accept now and I accepted then that the fairest way to pay for the emergency services is to have a levy on every household so that people pay for the services of our emergency services, particularly, in this case, the fire brigades, whether or not people are insured. I made the comment to which the member referred some time ago, when I was in my youth. The member for Girrawheen is quite right. The anticipated average emergency services levy for all metropolitan households is $28. It will actually be $27, not that that makes any difference. After the budget papers went to print, there was a recalculation. That does not affect the total amount, but I am told that the amount will be $27. I am sure that $1 is neither here nor there. The reason I agreed to this and why it needed to be done this year is that following the tragic bushfires in Victoria and Toodyay, and following the earthquakes, hailstorms and flooding, an enormous amount of work needs to be done and we must ensure that our emergency services personnel have the necessary facilities, equipment and personnel to cope with those sorts of emergencies. I accept that it is quite a big chunk this year. It is not one that I feel comfortable about, but I believe it is essential to ensure that our firefighters, emergency services volunteers and bush fire brigades can have the right equipment and personnel to be able to do their jobs properly. I accept that it has come in, but it had to come in this year. I am absolutely confident that in the ensuing years there will be very minor increases to the ESL. Because of the tragic events that we have seen over the past 12 or 18 months, I regret to say that we have had to increase the emergency services levy.
Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The member can ask a question later on. I am answering the member for Girrawheen’s question. At the time, there was a lot of backlash from local governments and the community in general. The ESL was required because not everyone insured their home, even though they still attracted the services of our fire brigades, which saved lives and property. I accept now and I accepted then that the fairest way to pay for the emergency services is to have a levy on every household so that people pay for the services of our emergency services, particularly, in this case, the fire brigades, whether or not people are insured. I made the comment to which the member referred some time ago, when I was in my youth. The member for Girrawheen is quite right. The anticipated average emergency services levy for all metropolitan households is $28. It will actually be $27, not that that makes any difference. After the budget papers went to print, there was a recalculation. That does not affect the total amount, but I am told that the amount will be $27. I am sure that $1 is neither here nor there. The reason I agreed to this and why it needed to be done this year is that following the tragic bushfires in Victoria and Toodyay, and following the earthquakes, hailstorms and flooding, an enormous amount of work needs to be done and we must ensure that our emergency services personnel have the necessary facilities, equipment and personnel to cope with those sorts of emergencies. I accept that it is quite a big chunk this year. It is not one that I feel comfortable about, but I believe it is essential to ensure that our firefighters, emergency services volunteers and bush fire brigades can have the right equipment and personnel to be able to do their jobs properly. I accept that it has come in, but it had to come in this year. I am absolutely confident that in the ensuing years there will be very minor increases to the ESL. Because of the tragic events that we have seen over the past 12 or 18 months, I regret to say that we have had to increase the emergency services levy.
The member for Girrawheen is quite right. The anticipated average emergency services levy for all metropolitan households is $28. It will actually be $27, not that that makes any difference. After the budget papers went to print, there was a recalculation. That does not affect the total amount, but I am told that the amount will be $27. I am sure that $1 is neither here nor there. The reason I agreed to this and why it needed to be done this year is that following the tragic bushfires in Victoria and Toodyay, and following the earthquakes, hailstorms and flooding, an enormous amount of work needs to be done and we must ensure that our emergency services personnel have the necessary facilities, equipment and personnel to cope with those sorts of emergencies. I accept that it is quite a big chunk this year. It is not one that I feel comfortable about, but I believe it is essential to ensure that our firefighters, emergency services volunteers and bush fire brigades can have the right equipment and personnel to be able to do their jobs properly. I accept that it has come in, but it had to come in this year. I am absolutely confident that in the ensuing years there will be very minor increases to the ESL. Because of the tragic events that we have seen over the past 12 or 18 months, I regret to say that we have had to increase the emergency services levy.
(2) Will the minister further confirm that at the same time as householders are being slugged with this additional fee, the government is reducing its contribution to FESA by $28 million? (3) Why has the government done this? Mr R.F. JOHNSON replied: (1)–(3) We all have said things in the past that sometimes come back to bite us; I accept that. I think that was when the former government introduced the emergency services levy and there was a lot of — Mrs M.H. Roberts interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The member can ask a question later on. I am answering the member for Girrawheen’s question. At the time, there was a lot of backlash from local governments and the community in general. The ESL was required because not everyone insured their home, even though they still attracted the services of our fire brigades, which saved lives and property. I accept now and I accepted then that the fairest way to pay for the emergency services is to have a levy on every household so that people pay for the services of our emergency services, particularly, in this case, the fire brigades, whether or not people are insured. I made the comment to which the member referred some time ago, when I was in my youth. The member for Girrawheen is quite right. The anticipated average emergency services levy for all metropolitan households is $28. It will actually be $27, not that that makes any difference. After the budget papers went to print, there was a recalculation. That does not affect the total amount, but I am told that the amount will be $27. I am sure that $1 is neither here nor there. The reason I agreed to this and why it needed to be done this year is that following the tragic bushfires in Victoria and Toodyay, and following the earthquakes, hailstorms and flooding, an enormous amount of work needs to be done and we must ensure that our emergency services personnel have the necessary facilities, equipment and personnel to cope with those sorts of emergencies. I accept that it is quite a big chunk this year. It is not one that I feel comfortable about, but I believe it is essential to ensure that our firefighters, emergency services volunteers and bush fire brigades can have the right equipment and personnel to be able to do their jobs properly. I accept that it has come in, but it had to come in this year. I am absolutely confident that in the ensuing years there will be very minor increases to the ESL. Because of the tragic events that we have seen over the past 12 or 18 months, I regret to say that we have had to increase the emergency services levy.
(3) Why has the government done this? Mr R.F. JOHNSON replied: (1)–(3) We all have said things in the past that sometimes come back to bite us; I accept that. I think that was when the former government introduced the emergency services levy and there was a lot of — Mrs M.H. Roberts interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The member can ask a question later on. I am answering the member for Girrawheen’s question. At the time, there was a lot of backlash from local governments and the community in general. The ESL was required because not everyone insured their home, even though they still attracted the services of our fire brigades, which saved lives and property. I accept now and I accepted then that the fairest way to pay for the emergency services is to have a levy on every household so that people pay for the services of our emergency services, particularly, in this case, the fire brigades, whether or not people are insured. I made the comment to which the member referred some time ago, when I was in my youth. The member for Girrawheen is quite right. The anticipated average emergency services levy for all metropolitan households is $28. It will actually be $27, not that that makes any difference. After the budget papers went to print, there was a recalculation. That does not affect the total amount, but I am told that the amount will be $27. I am sure that $1 is neither here nor there. The reason I agreed to this and why it needed to be done this year is that following the tragic bushfires in Victoria and Toodyay, and following the earthquakes, hailstorms and flooding, an enormous amount of work needs to be done and we must ensure that our emergency services personnel have the necessary facilities, equipment and personnel to cope with those sorts of emergencies. I accept that it is quite a big chunk this year. It is not one that I feel comfortable about, but I believe it is essential to ensure that our firefighters, emergency services volunteers and bush fire brigades can have the right equipment and personnel to be able to do their jobs properly. I accept that it has come in, but it had to come in this year. I am absolutely confident that in the ensuing years there will be very minor increases to the ESL. Because of the tragic events that we have seen over the past 12 or 18 months, I regret to say that we have had to increase the emergency services levy.
Mr R.F. JOHNSON replied: (1)–(3) We all have said things in the past that sometimes come back to bite us; I accept that. I think that was when the former government introduced the emergency services levy and there was a lot of — Mrs M.H. Roberts interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The member can ask a question later on. I am answering the member for Girrawheen’s question. At the time, there was a lot of backlash from local governments and the community in general. The ESL was required because not everyone insured their home, even though they still attracted the services of our fire brigades, which saved lives and property. I accept now and I accepted then that the fairest way to pay for the emergency services is to have a levy on every household so that people pay for the services of our emergency services, particularly, in this case, the fire brigades, whether or not people are insured. I made the comment to which the member referred some time ago, when I was in my youth. The member for Girrawheen is quite right. The anticipated average emergency services levy for all metropolitan households is $28. It will actually be $27, not that that makes any difference. After the budget papers went to print, there was a recalculation. That does not affect the total amount, but I am told that the amount will be $27. I am sure that $1 is neither here nor there. The reason I agreed to this and why it needed to be done this year is that following the tragic bushfires in Victoria and Toodyay, and following the earthquakes, hailstorms and flooding, an enormous amount of work needs to be done and we must ensure that our emergency services personnel have the necessary facilities, equipment and personnel to cope with those sorts of emergencies. I accept that it is quite a big chunk this year. It is not one that I feel comfortable about, but I believe it is essential to ensure that our firefighters, emergency services volunteers and bush fire brigades can have the right equipment and personnel to be able to do their jobs properly. I accept that it has come in, but it had to come in this year. I am absolutely confident that in the ensuing years there will be very minor increases to the ESL. Because of the tragic events that we have seen over the past 12 or 18 months, I regret to say that we have had to increase the emergency services levy.
(1)–(3) We all have said things in the past that sometimes come back to bite us; I accept that. I think that was when the former government introduced the emergency services levy and there was a lot of — Mrs M.H. Roberts interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The member can ask a question later on. I am answering the member for Girrawheen’s question. At the time, there was a lot of backlash from local governments and the community in general. The ESL was required because not everyone insured their home, even though they still attracted the services of our fire brigades, which saved lives and property. I accept now and I accepted then that the fairest way to pay for the emergency services is to have a levy on every household so that people pay for the services of our emergency services, particularly, in this case, the fire brigades, whether or not people are insured. I made the comment to which the member referred some time ago, when I was in my youth. The member for Girrawheen is quite right. The anticipated average emergency services levy for all metropolitan households is $28. It will actually be $27, not that that makes any difference. After the budget papers went to print, there was a recalculation. That does not affect the total amount, but I am told that the amount will be $27. I am sure that $1 is neither here nor there. The reason I agreed to this and why it needed to be done this year is that following the tragic bushfires in Victoria and Toodyay, and following the earthquakes, hailstorms and flooding, an enormous amount of work needs to be done and we must ensure that our emergency services personnel have the necessary facilities, equipment and personnel to cope with those sorts of emergencies. I accept that it is quite a big chunk this year. It is not one that I feel comfortable about, but I believe it is essential to ensure that our firefighters, emergency services volunteers and bush fire brigades can have the right equipment and personnel to be able to do their jobs properly. I accept that it has come in, but it had to come in this year. I am absolutely confident that in the ensuing years there will be very minor increases to the ESL. Because of the tragic events that we have seen over the past 12 or 18 months, I regret to say that we have had to increase the emergency services levy.
Mrs M.H. Roberts interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The member can ask a question later on. I am answering the member for Girrawheen’s question. At the time, there was a lot of backlash from local governments and the community in general. The ESL was required because not everyone insured their home, even though they still attracted the services of our fire brigades, which saved lives and property. I accept now and I accepted then that the fairest way to pay for the emergency services is to have a levy on every household so that people pay for the services of our emergency services, particularly, in this case, the fire brigades, whether or not people are insured. I made the comment to which the member referred some time ago, when I was in my youth. The member for Girrawheen is quite right. The anticipated average emergency services levy for all metropolitan households is $28. It will actually be $27, not that that makes any difference. After the budget papers went to print, there was a recalculation. That does not affect the total amount, but I am told that the amount will be $27. I am sure that $1 is neither here nor there. The reason I agreed to this and why it needed to be done this year is that following the tragic bushfires in Victoria and Toodyay, and following the earthquakes, hailstorms and flooding, an enormous amount of work needs to be done and we must ensure that our emergency services personnel have the necessary facilities, equipment and personnel to cope with those sorts of emergencies. I accept that it is quite a big chunk this year. It is not one that I feel comfortable about, but I believe it is essential to ensure that our firefighters, emergency services volunteers and bush fire brigades can have the right equipment and personnel to be able to do their jobs properly. I accept that it has come in, but it had to come in this year. I am absolutely confident that in the ensuing years there will be very minor increases to the ESL. Because of the tragic events that we have seen over the past 12 or 18 months, I regret to say that we have had to increase the emergency services levy.
Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The member can ask a question later on. I am answering the member for Girrawheen’s question. At the time, there was a lot of backlash from local governments and the community in general. The ESL was required because not everyone insured their home, even though they still attracted the services of our fire brigades, which saved lives and property. I accept now and I accepted then that the fairest way to pay for the emergency services is to have a levy on every household so that people pay for the services of our emergency services, particularly, in this case, the fire brigades, whether or not people are insured. I made the comment to which the member referred some time ago, when I was in my youth. The member for Girrawheen is quite right. The anticipated average emergency services levy for all metropolitan households is $28. It will actually be $27, not that that makes any difference. After the budget papers went to print, there was a recalculation. That does not affect the total amount, but I am told that the amount will be $27. I am sure that $1 is neither here nor there. The reason I agreed to this and why it needed to be done this year is that following the tragic bushfires in Victoria and Toodyay, and following the earthquakes, hailstorms and flooding, an enormous amount of work needs to be done and we must ensure that our emergency services personnel have the necessary facilities, equipment and personnel to cope with those sorts of emergencies. I accept that it is quite a big chunk this year. It is not one that I feel comfortable about, but I believe it is essential to ensure that our firefighters, emergency services volunteers and bush fire brigades can have the right equipment and personnel to be able to do their jobs properly. I accept that it has come in, but it had to come in this year. I am absolutely confident that in the ensuing years there will be very minor increases to the ESL. Because of the tragic events that we have seen over the past 12 or 18 months, I regret to say that we have had to increase the emergency services levy.
The member for Girrawheen is quite right. The anticipated average emergency services levy for all metropolitan households is $28. It will actually be $27, not that that makes any difference. After the budget papers went to print, there was a recalculation. That does not affect the total amount, but I am told that the amount will be $27. I am sure that $1 is neither here nor there. The reason I agreed to this and why it needed to be done this year is that following the tragic bushfires in Victoria and Toodyay, and following the earthquakes, hailstorms and flooding, an enormous amount of work needs to be done and we must ensure that our emergency services personnel have the necessary facilities, equipment and personnel to cope with those sorts of emergencies. I accept that it is quite a big chunk this year. It is not one that I feel comfortable about, but I believe it is essential to ensure that our firefighters, emergency services volunteers and bush fire brigades can have the right equipment and personnel to be able to do their jobs properly. I accept that it has come in, but it had to come in this year. I am absolutely confident that in the ensuing years there will be very minor increases to the ESL. Because of the tragic events that we have seen over the past 12 or 18 months, I regret to say that we have had to increase the emergency services levy.
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