Even Labor's own Member for Ripon can see that Premier Jacinta Allan's emergency services tax is a raw deal for regional Victorians.
In a post to social media, Ripon MP Martha Haylett has admitted the tax unfairly impacts farmers - even though she voted for it.
Ms Haylett wrote:
"Although I was glad to see some amendments made two weeks ago, it is clear these changes don't go far enough.
I have spoken directly to the Treasurer and Premier to make them aware of my community's views.
It is clear the way this levy has been calculated has a disproportionate impact on farmers. It is not fair, and I will keep fighting to fix it."
Ms Haylett is right - it's not fair, and the Liberals and Nationals are fighting to scrap the $3 billion tax that will impact on homeowners, business owners, renters, and farmers.
Farmers, already reeling from severe drought conditions are facing an increase of 150 per cent.
Shadow Treasurer James Newbury said: "This Labor government is addicted to tax."
"When even Labor's own MPs are speaking out, you know Jacinta Allan's emergency services tax is a disaster. It's punishing the very communities it claims to support. And Labor's pretending not to notice.
"The Liberals and Nationals are standing with communities across Victoria to scrap this cruel tax. We will always fight for those doing it tough, not make life harder for them like Labor has."
Leader of The Nationals and Shadow Minister for Emergency Services Danny O'Brien said:
"Ms Haylett says one thing and does the other. You can't have it both ways.
"It is clear Ms Haylett is the voice for Labor in Ripon, not the voice for Ripon in Parliament.
"If Ms Haylett believes this tax isn't fair, as she spells out in her post, why didn't she vote with the Liberals and Nationals against it?
"The only way to 'fix' this tax is to scrap it. And to do that we have to scrap the Labor Government too.
