Monday 3 April 2017

All insurance holders currently pay an additional levy to fund statewide fire and emergency services and from 1 July this levy will instead be collected through council rates. I supported the bill to impose the change, which was recommended by the Ken Henry tax review and the Victorian Bushfires Royal Commission, however I am concerned that it shifts costs to councils and that insurers may not pass on the full savings to customers. The community has not been adequately informed and I am also concerned ratepayers will get a shock when their notices arrive. The government will set up a hotline for complaints, an insurance monitor and a pensioner concession and hardship scheme. 

The new FESL system information HERE, and my speech is HERE.