THE Emergency Services Levy could rise again, according to evidence given at the Select Committee inquiring into Emergency Services reforms last week.
In the past year some ESL bills rose more than 1000 per cent after the government removed concessions.
Country Fire Service Volunteer Association executive director Sonia St Alban said when Emergency Services Minister Tony Piccolo was asked at a meeting on Wednesday, April 1, what would happen if his proposed sector reforms came in over budget, his response was that the ESL would be increased.
Ms St Alban said this further bolstered the CFSVA's argument that the reforms should be halted until a business plan and reform costings were identified.
Opposition Emergency Services spokesman Duncan McFetridge said it was outrageous the Minister would be considering making South Australians suffer through another increase to the ESL.
"To hear the Minister has said the government is considering increasing the ESL and the Treasurer two weeks ago in Parliament didn't rule out an increase in the ESL, it is clear the government is trying to hit South Australians with ESL increases to pay for their incompetence," he said.
"The whole problem with the proposed restructure is there is no business plan and no evidence of improved efficiencies or effectiveness and so the government is going in blind."
Committee chair and Family First MLC Robert Brokenshire said it was almost unbelievable the Minister would come out and tell people a rise in ESL may be an option. "The government has just ripped $90 million out of the community, farmers are struggling to pay now and they are protesting about the increases," he said.
Committee member and The Greens MLC Tammy Franks said the angst and distress of the previous ESL hikes were still hurting South Australians.
"The Minister's words that he is considering another hike in a future Budget round are deeply insulting to the volunteers already struggling not just to pay the ESL, but devoting time and energy to helping their community," she said.
When contacted by Stock Journal, Mr Piccolo said he did attend the Chief Officers Advisory Committee meeting last week but he declined to comment on an increase to the ESL.
"The initial work groups have been established, the reform is ongoing and the business plan including costings will be developed as part of that work," he said.
Karina Natt
Journalist at Stock Journal.
Journalist at Stock Journal.
