Victorian taxpayers continue to fund the nation’s most expensive fire services agency in the nation under the Andrews Labor Government.
Victorians now spend more than $2 billion on fire services annually, over $500 million more than New South Wales.
Despite this significant increase in cost, Victorian fire services responded to 6,959 fewer fires than New South Wales in 2021-22 and more than 5,000 fewer than in 2014-15.
These ongoing high costs of fire services follows recent confirmation that Fire Rescue Victoria is $132.5 million in deficit, which will require either more taxpayer funding or an increase in the Fire Services Levy.
Shadow Minister for Emergency Services, Ann-Marie Hermans, said Victorians needed a sustainable fire services system that represented good value for money for taxpayers.
“Victoria continues to run the nation’s most expensive fire services and Victorians deserve to know why,” Ms Hermans said.
“Spending over $500 million dollars more than New South Wales on fire services and still being in the red simply isn’t sustainable.”
“We need to ensure we have value for money from our emergency services so that we can sustainably invest in the latest equipment, training and resources to keep Victorians safe.”
