New $300 fire tax set to hit all houses

    LINDA SILMALIS
    The Sunday Telegraph
    January 13, 2013


HOMEOWNERS will be forced to fork out up to $300 a year under a new fire tax with the O'Farrell government set to overhaul the funding of the state's emergency services.     :o

Volunteer firefighters are already preparing to up their campaign to fight the move, which they claim will lead to a reduction of their budget and loss of identity.

Under the plan, each household and landowner will have to pay a yearly bill of around $300 a year to pay for the estimated $1 billion cost of funding the NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS), NSW Fire and Rescue and the State Emergency Services.

How do you feel about being charged a fire tax? Tell us below.     :-?

The scheme would replace the existing system where households who take out insurance pay via a levy added into their premium.

The state government has argued that the system is unfair as only households with insurance contribute.

The insurance industry, which has been lobbying for a new funding regime, calculates that almost 40 per cent of households do not have home contents insurance.

Under one of the proposed funding models, the state government calculates each household with a land value of $250,000 would be charged $267 annually.

NSW Fire Service Association president Brian McKinley said he believed each household would have to be charged around $360 per year to meet the fire and emergency services budget.

The fire volunteer movement is just as concerned at its loss of identity if it is funded via a tax-based system, claiming the community would stop donating to the organisation.

"We raise around $3-4 million from the community and we are concerned that people will stop donating like they did in South Australia because they think they are already paying via their taxes.

"Moving to a centralised system of funding will also mean a loss of autonomy on how the money is spent."

The association also doubts transferring to a property-based tax would result in lower insurance premiums.

Other states to have moved to a property-based fire tax include Queensland and Western Australia, where both use councils to collect the levy.

The Victorian government is to introduce a property-based levy in July, with households paying about $100 each and commercial and large farms paying more. As a sweetener, it promised a $20m concession scheme for pensioners and veterans.     :-?

In a discussion paper released under the consultation process, the government argued the existing funding regime was inefficient and unfair.

"The tax on insurers increases the price of insurance, leading to some people to under-insure and others not to insure at all."

The paper said "a wide range" of revenue sources had been considered, but it was clear "a property-based levy" was the best alternative.

Oh gawd . . . . . its not as if it goes to firefighters since they are volunteers

SOB

Time for the firies to do a hazard-reduction burn.

In Macquarie Street.

This sort of shyt gets me so angry.

O'Fail has NO idea.

NOT ANOTHER BIG NEW TAX

I thought only the labor was the only party that raise taxes. The way the neo-cons carry on here you would think it was

set to overhaul the funding of the state's emergency services.   



hummmmmmmmmmmmm..

once again quick to jump in  they make every excuse for the most pathetic Fed govt we have ever had....

swan has cut every dept to the bone to save his ugly face...and now the States will pay the price..

good one Labor..

now watch them feed a little bit back as its election year.....what have they coughed up for those that have lost everything in this years fires..

thats right $1000... the same as it was in 2009/2010...

guess the old inflation doesnt affect Fed help in emergencies...

John S wrote on Jan 13^th, 2013 at 8:06am:

NOT ANOTHER BIG NEW TAX I thought only the labor was the only party that raise taxes. The way the neo-cons carry on here you would think it was

DID O'FARRELL SAY BEFORE THE ELECTION..


[size=24]b]THERE WILL BE NO EMERGENCY FUNDING INCREASES UNDER A GOVT I LEAD.

cods wrote on Jan 13^th, 2013 at 8:33am:

John S wrote on Jan 13th, 2013 at 8:06am: NOT ANOTHER BIG NEW TAX I thought only the labor was the only party that raise taxes. The way the neo-cons carry on here you would think it was DID O'FARRELL SAY BEFORE THE ELECTION.. [size=24]b]THERE WILL BE NO EMERGENCY FUNDING INCREASES UNDER A GOVT I LEAD.

Cods, it will never happen.

Wiseone? is just being unwise again.

wrote on Jan 13^th, 2013 at 7:41am:

Volunteer firefighters are already preparing to up their campaign to fight the move, which they claim will lead to a reduction of their budget and loss of identity.

WTF? why Are they against more funding?


Quote:

The scheme would replace the existing system where households who take out insurance pay via a levy added into their premium. The state government has argued that the system is unfair as only households with insurance contribute.

So it's not new And yes Leftyheads why should cheapskates that don't pay insurance get protection?

::)

Sir Spot of Borg wrote on Jan 13^th, 2013 at 7:51am:

Oh gawd . . . . . its not as if it goes to firefighters since they are volunteers SOB

I tAke it your brain does't work on Sundays without penalty rates huh? ;D

Do they pay for their own equipment too Borgy.... ::)

Swagman wrote on Jan 13^th, 2013 at 8:39am:

wrote on Jan 13th, 2013 at 7:41am: Volunteer firefighters are already preparing to up their campaign to fight the move, which they claim will lead to a reduction of their budget and loss of identity. WTF? why Are they against more funding? Quote: The scheme would replace the existing system where households who take out insurance pay via a levy added into their premium. The state government has argued that the system is unfair as [highlight]only households with insurance contribute. [/highlight] So it's not new And yes Leftyheads why should cheapskates that don't pay insurance get protection? ::)

absolutely spot on totally unfair...we honest people that insure our homes and the contents..have been paying for years,...and then when push comes to shove... like the floods in Qld proved.. those who do bugger all come off best when it comes to sharing out the funds that are raised..

in other words do the right thing and get punished do the wrong thing and get taken care of.


if you are not insured you will still get the fire brigade to come to your home if its on fire....with no bill to pay,,.


how come.. because the likes of myself are paying for it.

Swagman wrote on Jan 13^th, 2013 at 8:41am:

Sir Spot of Borg wrote on Jan 13th, 2013 at 7:51am: Oh gawd . . . . . its not as if it goes to firefighters since they are volunteers SOB I tAke it your brain does't work on Sundays without penalty rates huh? ;D Do they pay for their own equipment too Borgy.... ::)

he thinks they do.....except abbott of course.

Another big new tax thanks to the O'failure govt.

Quote:

The scheme would replace the existing system where households who take out insurance pay via a levy added into their premium.

It's not new Smiddy read the article..........

Not another Libbo tax.

Swagman wrote on Jan 13^th, 2013 at 9:05am:

It's not new Smiddy read the article..........

it is new .... he is removing a premium added onto insurance and introducing a flat tax  ... hardly the same thing

Swagman wrote on Jan 13^th, 2013 at 8:41am:

Sir Spot of Borg wrote on Jan 13th, 2013 at 7:51am: Oh gawd . . . . . its not as if it goes to firefighters since they are volunteers SOB I tAke it your brain does't work on Sundays without penalty rates huh? ;D Do they pay for their own equipment too Borgy.... ::)

Seriously? You think a liberal government is going to invest in new equipment?

SOB

John Smith wrote on Jan 13^th, 2013 at 9:09am:

Swagman wrote on Jan 13th, 2013 at 9:05am: It's not new Smiddy read the article.......... it is new .... he is removing a premium added onto insurance and introducing a flat tax  ... hardly the same thing

...to replace the existing system where lots of irresponsible people don't pay....

Sir Spot of Borg wrote on Jan 13^th, 2013 at 9:16am:

Swagman wrote on Jan 13th, 2013 at 8:41am: Sir Spot of Borg wrote on Jan 13th, 2013 at 7:51am: Oh gawd . . . . . its not as if it goes to firefighters since they are volunteers SOB I tAke it your brain does't work on Sundays without penalty rates huh? ;D Do they pay for their own equipment too Borgy.... ::) Seriously? You think a liberal government is going to invest in new equipment? SOB

Seriously, you think it doesn't? ::)

Swagman wrote on Jan 13^th, 2013 at 9:20am:

Sir Spot of Borg wrote on Jan 13th, 2013 at 9:16am: Swagman wrote on Jan 13th, 2013 at 8:41am: Sir Spot of Borg wrote on Jan 13th, 2013 at 7:51am: Oh gawd . . . . . its not as if it goes to firefighters since they are volunteers SOB I tAke it your brain does't work on Sundays without penalty rates huh? ;D Do they pay for their own equipment too Borgy.... ::) Seriously? You think a liberal government is going to invest in new equipment? SOB Seriously, you think it doesn't? ::)

Yeah i think it doesnt. They take away they dont put in. Just look what they do to education and hospitals. And i heard newman is sacking firefighters?

SOB

Swagman wrote on Jan 13^th, 2013 at 9:20am:

Sir Spot of Borg wrote on Jan 13th, 2013 at 9:16am: Swagman wrote on Jan 13th, 2013 at 8:41am: Sir Spot of Borg wrote on Jan 13th, 2013 at 7:51am: Oh gawd . . . . . its not as if it goes to firefighters since they are volunteers SOB I tAke it your brain does't work on Sundays without penalty rates huh? ;D Do they pay for their own equipment too Borgy.... ::) Seriously? You think a liberal government is going to invest in new equipment? SOB Seriously, you think it doesn't? ::)

Didn't they just cut the budget for new equipment from $30 million to $5 million ....

I agree with spot on this one, no it doesn't.

This is about sustainable funding for a necessary service.

It's not about pay rises for lazy public servants and teachers.

It's to provide equipment for the RFB.

It has to be funded in a sustainable way and this is a good way to do it.  Everyone should pay.

Hopefully, insurance premiums will come down as well

Sir Spot of Borg wrote on Jan 13^th, 2013 at 9:22am:

Swagman wrote on Jan 13th, 2013 at 9:20am: Sir Spot of Borg wrote on Jan 13th, 2013 at 9:16am: Swagman wrote on Jan 13th, 2013 at 8:41am: Sir Spot of Borg wrote on Jan 13th, 2013 at 7:51am: Oh gawd . . . . . its not as if it goes to firefighters since they are volunteers SOB I tAke it your brain does't work on Sundays without penalty rates huh? ;D Do they pay for their own equipment too Borgy.... ::) Seriously? You think a liberal government is going to invest in new equipment? SOB Seriously, you think it doesn't? ::) Yeah i think it doesnt. They take away they dont put in. Just look what they do to education and hospitals. And i heard newman is sacking firefighters? SOB

Newman premier of NSW   ;)

cods wrote on Jan 13^th, 2013 at 8:33am:

John S wrote on Jan 13th, 2013 at 8:06am: NOT ANOTHER BIG NEW TAX I thought only the labor was the only party that raise taxes. The way the neo-cons carry on here you would think it was DID O'FARRELL SAY BEFORE THE ELECTION.. [size=24]b]THERE WILL BE NO EMERGENCY FUNDING INCREASES UNDER A GOVT I LEAD.

DID O'FARRELL SAY BEFORE THE ELECTION......


THERE WILL BE A EMERGENCY FUNDING INCREASES UNDER A GOVT I LEAD

You guys accept a carbon tax but whinge on a fire tax?

Maqqa wrote on Jan 13^th, 2013 at 12:04pm:

You guys accept a carbon tax but whinge on a fire tax?

There is no carbon tax

SOB

FRED. wrote on Jan 13^th, 2013 at 9:32am:

Sir Spot of Borg wrote on Jan 13th, 2013 at 9:22am: Swagman wrote on Jan 13th, 2013 at 9:20am: Sir Spot of Borg wrote on Jan 13th, 2013 at 9:16am: Swagman wrote on Jan 13th, 2013 at 8:41am: Sir Spot of Borg wrote on Jan 13th, 2013 at 7:51am: Oh gawd . . . . . its not as if it goes to firefighters since they are volunteers SOB I tAke it your brain does't work on Sundays without penalty rates huh? ;D Do they pay for their own equipment too Borgy.... ::) Seriously? You think a liberal government is going to invest in new equipment? SOB Seriously, you think it doesn't? ::) Yeah i think it doesnt. They take away they dont put in. Just look what they do to education and hospitals. And i heard newman is sacking firefighters? SOB Newman premier of NSW   ;)

Newman liberal premiere - of queensland - you seriously didnt know that?

SOB

Maqqa wrote on Jan 13^th, 2013 at 12:04pm:

You guys accept a carbon tax but whinge on a fire tax?

Maqqa - you're a good Union Labor man.

I hope you'll write plenty of posts supporting Julia this year?

cheers
Bobby.

...........Bobby's being sarcastic....... :D

Maqqa wrote on Jan 13^th, 2013 at 12:04pm:

You guys accept a carbon tax but whinge on a fire tax?

Will households be compensated for the fire tax?

adelcrow wrote on Jan 13^th, 2013 at 2:53pm:

Maqqa wrote on Jan 13th, 2013 at 12:04pm: You guys accept a carbon tax but whinge on a fire tax? Will households be compensated for the fire tax?

Nope.  No bribes that appears to be a Labor thing...

Swagman wrote on Jan 13^th, 2013 at 2:57pm:

adelcrow wrote on Jan 13th, 2013 at 2:53pm: Maqqa wrote on Jan 13th, 2013 at 12:04pm: You guys accept a carbon tax but whinge on a fire tax? Will households be compensated for the fire tax? Nope.  No bribes that appears to be a Labor thing...

The baby bonus?  ;D

Swagman wrote on Jan 13^th, 2013 at 2:57pm:

adelcrow wrote on Jan 13th, 2013 at 2:53pm: Maqqa wrote on Jan 13th, 2013 at 12:04pm: You guys accept a carbon tax but whinge on a fire tax? Will households be compensated for the fire tax? Nope.  No bribes that appears to be a Labor thing...

so what was all that middle class welfare if not a bribe?

John Smith wrote on Jan 13^th, 2013 at 6:24pm:

so what was all that middle class welfare if not a bribe?

A tax rebate..... ;)

Swagman wrote on Jan 13^th, 2013 at 6:46pm:

John Smith wrote on Jan 13th, 2013 at 6:24pm: so what was all that middle class welfare if not a bribe? A tax rebate..... ;)

And what rebate did the pensioners get at the same time

Why are politicians so friggn useless, Ofarrel had such a huge opportunnity to show the state how different lib/lab are. But he's just as dam useless as the mob he replaced??

Country is in awfull strife with the crop of incompetants on boths sides of the fence??

Swagman wrote on Jan 13^th, 2013 at 6:46pm:

John Smith wrote on Jan 13th, 2013 at 6:24pm: so what was all that middle class welfare if not a bribe? A tax rebate..... ;)

why take the money just to give it back?  - because otherwise he has nothing to bribe you with ....

woof woof wrote on Jan 13^th, 2013 at 9:39pm:

Why are politicians so friggn useless, Ofarrel had such a huge opportunnity to show the state how different lib/lab are. But he's just as dam useless as the mob he replaced?? Country is in awfull strife with the crop of incompetants on boths sides of the fence??

good to see a righty being honest .....  it makes no diference which side of the fence you sit .. it's always the same sheat just in a different bucket

I have no problem with it - as long as everyone pays it. Unfortunately it will be those who take out insurance that will be paying for it and when the guy that's not insured gets his house burnt down we'll help him out by giving him government support. Always the same...no matter who is in power!!

John S wrote on Jan 13^th, 2013 at 9:36pm:

Swagman wrote on Jan 13th, 2013 at 6:46pm: John Smith wrote on Jan 13th, 2013 at 6:24pm: so what was all that middle class welfare if not a bribe? A tax rebate..... ;) And what rebate did the pensioners get at the same time

If you don't pay tax you can't get a rebate

It is then a handout.

Swagman wrote on Jan 13^th, 2013 at 10:13pm:

John S wrote on Jan 13th, 2013 at 9:36pm: Swagman wrote on Jan 13th, 2013 at 6:46pm: John Smith wrote on Jan 13th, 2013 at 6:24pm: so what was all that middle class welfare if not a bribe? A tax rebate..... ;) And what rebate did the pensioners get at the same time If you don't pay tax you can't get a rebate It is then a handout.

How? If you dont pay tax and cant get a rebate how does that translate to actually receiving anything?

SOB

Sir Spot of Borg wrote on Jan 13^th, 2013 at 7:51am:

Oh gawd . . . . . its not as if it goes to firefighters since they are volunteers SOB

Actually, it does in a sense. It's not for paying volunteers or professional full-time firies. The funds from your house insurance in NSW goes to NSW Fire Brigades (paid firies) and the Volunteer Rural Fire Brigades so that they can purchase new equipment and maintain existing equipment. The current system of adding this charge to insurance is unfair, as not everyone insures their house but will benefit from the fire services if the need arises. A tax would be a much fairer way to go and by reducing insurance premiums, hopefully more people will not only take out insurance but a comprehensive rather than very basic policy or even no policy at all.

If theres a new tax on homes then rents will go up yet again.

SOB

Services must be funded and the new system appears to spread the burden across the board.....My only question would be is all the revenue going towards funding emergency services or going into consolidated revenue to prop up the budget???

:-? :-? :-?

philperth2010 wrote on Jan 14^th, 2013 at 7:17am:

Services must be funded and the new system appears to spread the burden across the board.....My only question would be is all the revenue going towards funding emergency services or going into consolidated revenue to prop up the budget??? :-? :-? :-?

It will only spread it across the board if you have insurance. No insurance, no pay!

So what exactly is the problem here? Home-owners are required to pay for fire protection in stead of being subsidised by thos who pay insurance? Would you prefer the american system where the firies wont put out a fire if they are uninsured? if you own a house and want it protected then stoip complaining. Perhaps those of use who are insured are sick of funding the protection for the rest of you who when burned to the ground want a public donation campaign to build a new house because you were too slack to be insured.

Sir Spot of Borg wrote on Jan 14^th, 2013 at 5:33am:

Swagman wrote on Jan 13th, 2013 at 10:13pm: John S wrote on Jan 13th, 2013 at 9:36pm: Swagman wrote on Jan 13th, 2013 at 6:46pm: John Smith wrote on Jan 13th, 2013 at 6:24pm: so what was all that middle class welfare if not a bribe? A tax rebate..... ;) And what rebate did the pensioners get at the same time If you don't pay tax you can't get a rebate It is then a handout. How? If you dont pay tax and cant get a rebate how does that translate to actually receiving anything? SOB

That's when it becomes welfare....

Maqqa wrote on Jan 13^th, 2013 at 12:04pm:

You guys accept a carbon tax but whinge on a fire tax?

Fair difference between $10 and $300 and also a difference between government paying for an emergemcy service which falls under their responsibility and all of us taking action on climate.

Wonder what Tony Abbott will have to say about this?

Dnarever wrote on Jan 14^th, 2013 at 9:11am:

Wonder what Tony Abbott will have to say about this?

Wonder what Juliar Gillard will have to say about this?