In short:
Labor has accused the Liberals and One Nation of misinformation after releasing CFA funding figures on 20 January. Locals, including in Wyndham, say they are tired of taxpayer resources being absorbed by political battles while firefighters continue protecting communities.
CFA Dragged Into Party Warfare
The state government has escalated a political fight over Country Fire Authority funding, blaming the Liberal Party and One Nation for what it calls misinformation, as locals say they are tired of taxpayer money being consumed by political warfare instead of frontline needs.
In a statement released on 20 January, Emergency Services Minister Vicki Ward pointed to the CFA’s 2024–25 Annual Report as evidence the organisation is stronger and better resourced under the Allan Labor Government.
The report shows CFA funding reached its highest level in five years during 2024–25, with grant funding increasing by nearly $22 million, total income rising by more than $26 million and the CFA’s asset base growing by around $106 million through investment in stations, trucks and equipment.
The government used the figures to attack the Liberal Party and One Nation, accusing them of spreading misinformation at a time when communities are dealing with fires and floods.
The minister said such claims undermine confidence in volunteers and distract from recovery efforts.
However, the renewed political offensive has drawn frustration from community members, including in Wyndham, where locals say they are weary of seeing emergency services dragged into partisan disputes.
Many argue the ongoing political back-and-forth represents wasted taxpayer effort and money, while volunteers continue responding to emergencies regardless of who is in power.
The anger follows protests by CFA volunteers across Victoria last year over the Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund, where firefighters publicly opposed state government policy and warned that trust between volunteers and government was under strain.
Residents say the latest exchange only reinforces the perception that emergency services funding is being used as a political shield, rather than focusing on operational pressures such as population growth, demand on volunteers and long-term resourcing.
While the government insists the funding figures speak for themselves, locals say the CFA should be kept out of political point-scoring, with taxpayer dollars directed squarely at protecting communities, not fuelling political fights.
