Danny O’Brien MP – Minister won’t come clean on CFA funding cut
The Allan Labor Government has once again refused to disclose how much funding the CFA will receive in the 2025-26 State Budget, confirming fears the budget is being cut again.
Today in Question Time, Minister for Emergency Services, Vicki Ward, dodged a straightforward question: what is the CFA’s base budget for 2025–26 — a figure the Minister previously claimed would be outlined in the State Budget, but wasn’t.
Instead of providing an answer, the Minister rambled and refused to give a figure.
Leader of The Nationals and Shadow Minister for Emergency Services, Danny O’Brien, said regional Victorians have every right to feel deeply concerned following Labor’s CFA budget cuts, which the government has tried to sweep under the rug.
“It’s outrageous. The Government Gazette released on May 30 shows a clear cut to CFA funding compared to previous years, but the Allan Labor Government keeps denying the facts,” Mr O’Brien said.
“The Minister won’t confirm the figure, the Treasurer and Premier say it’s wrong, yet they can’t answer Victorians a simple question – how much money will the CFA receive next financial year?
“The Allan Labor Government’s refusal to answer confirms what we already know: despite Victorians being slugged an extra $3 billion in tax in the name of our emergency services, their budgets are actually being cut.
“Labor can’t manage money and Victorians are paying the price.”
Media contact: Dominic McDermott – 0488 163 006