The state’s 15,000 active Country Fire Service, SA Ambulance and State Emergency Service volunteers will be exempt from paying the emergency services levy if SA Best gains the balance of power at next month’s state election.
SA Best leader Nick Xenophon says the emergency services would not function without volunteers.
“It is simply ludicrous that our volunteers are expected to pay the ESL when, in many cases, they risk their own lives while actively serving the community," he said.
“We need to more strongly recognise and support the efforts of our emergency services volunteers.”
Earlier this week, he also announced SA Best would match the Liberal Opposition’s plan to roll back ESL bills by $90 million a year.
Opposition emergency services spokesperson Stephan Knoll welcomed the roll-back but has criticised the volunteer exemption, saying it will create more red tape for brigades and lead to fake volunteers joining just to get the rebate.
But Greenpatch CFS captain Mark Modra welcomes both policies to rectify the “unfair tax” imposed by the state government.
He says something must be done, given many CFS volunteers were disillusioned after significant ESL hikes.
Mr Modra dismisses claims SA Best’s policy is “unworkable”, saying specific conditions could be added to gain an exemption.
“We need volunteers who are passionate about their community and want to serve rather than wanting to escape an ESL bill, but there are ways to protect the volunteer ethos that has been there in the past,” he said.
“For example, they could have to be in the CFS for five years before they are eligible for an exemption and have to attend 70 per cent of all call-outs throughout the year.”
