Victorian farmers and CFA volunteers rally on the steps of parliament house. Image – VFF Facebook.

VICTORIAN farmers have been urged to contact their local Members of Parliament — and especially Greens and crossbench MPs – to protect proposed changes to the fire emergency services levy.

Victorian Farmers Federation president Brett Hosking said police estimated more than 400 people attended a rally against the changes in Spring Street Melbourne yesterday.

Mr Hosking said now is the time to for farmers contact their local MP and say no to the unfair increases that will hit rural communities the hardest.

Under the proposal, the VFF estimates the median levy for farmers would jump by 109 percent; from $621 to $1299.

“That’s not reform.

“That’s a blow to those who grow our food and protect our land,” the VFF said in a social media post.

The VFF is calling for a cap on levy increases, fairer classification and rate setting, and a rebate for CFA volunteers.

Mr Hosking said the Greens and other crossbench MPs have an important role to play in opposing the changes, which come up in legislation due to voted on in parliament tomorrow.

“Some have declared their support and others are keeping their cards close to their chests.

“The Greens are passionate about rural areas and making sure we preserve our natural environment, so the logic in that would suggest they will land on the side of the CFA volunteers who provide exactly that service.”

Mr Hosking said Coalition, Greens and some crossbench support is needed to defeat the legislation.

He said crossbench and Greens MPs have a really important role to play on the issue.

“The deputy leader of the Greens, Sarah Mansfield is an Upper House MP, the Greens MLC for Western Victoria, so I am well aware of farmers right across western Victoria who have been actively reaching out to her and her office and talking to her about the impact it is going to have on their businesses, communities and families, and even on their ability to volunteer, given that they will have to make up lost income from somewhere.”

He said if the changes came in farmers would have less disposable income be working harder or have less staff on farm, which ultimately means fewer people on the back of a fire truck.

“Helping them (the Greens) to understand that link between profitability and our ability to serve our community is really important.”