Stop the attack on workers compensation
Stop O’Farrell’s New Tax
The review has now ended. Connect with the campaign to be one of the first to hear the Governments decision.
In other words, he's taxing families in order to boost the profits of big insurance companies. It's outrageous.
The new tax will be an average $300 per year on top of your council rates. Clearly Mr O'Farrell doesn't understand the strain families in NSW are facing.
Barry O'Farrell is trying to change the way fire stations are funded. For over 100 years, insurers have provided the lion's share of our emergency services funding. It makes sense because a strong fire service saves them billions in insurance claims. Right now it's a true "user pays" system.
But now, the insurance companies have convinced Mr O'Farrell to tear up that system.
This will deliver the insurance companies a windfall of up to $700 million in extra profits.
The NSW Government is holding a public consultation on the funding changes. Click the button to say no to Barry's new tax. Follow our easy-to-use submission guide to tell Mr O'Farrell why you oppose this new tax. Hurry! Submissions close October 31st.
Earlier this year Barry O’Farrell introduced plans to close up to eight fire stations each day, leaving large parts of Sydney without a fire truck in their local station.
With station closures, your home is at greater risk.
Now they want to hit us with a new tax too. That's right: Barry O'Farrell wants you to pay more for less.
For over one hundred years, insurers have paid the biggest slice for fire stations. It makes sense too - by having a quality fire service, insurers save billions in claims. The current system is a true "user pays" system.
But Mr O'Farrell wants to let the insurance companies off the hook and instead slug the average home owner another $300 a year on top of their council rates to cover the cost.
This change will result in a $700 million pay day for insurance companies each year - paid for by you. It's outrageous.
It's no wonder Mr O'Farrell never mentioned his plans for this before the election.
Tell the O'Farrell government that families are already under enough pressure and that you object to a new fire tax - especially while they're closing fire stations.
But won't the changes mean that Insurance Premiums go down?
No. Insurance companies will be under no obligation to pass their $700 million pay day on to you. And remember Insurance companies are for-profit businesses. Does anyone really think that these big finance companies are going to reduce premiums out of the goodness of their hearts?
Isn't the new system more user pays?
Our current funding system is a user pays system. With high quality emergency services, Insurance companies are able to save huge sums of money that would otherwise be paid out in claims. In the new funding model proposed by the O'Farrell Government, Insurance companies will reap all the benefits of a high quality emergency service, but carry none of the cost. The public on the other hand, will have to pay up twice - once for insurance premiums and again for rates.
Why are the firies opposed to a fire tax? Surely it will help fund their stations?
NSW Firefighters believe the best way to have a safe community is through a high quality fire service. Appropriate funding is fundamental to ensuring the fire service has the capacity to handle all sorts of situations. Currently, funding is provided from the government based on a range of needs. In the new model, any increase of funding will need to be provided through an increase in tax. Rather than working together, this places the public and the firefighters at odds. Leaving us with a lower quality fire service.
If you have any other questions you'd like included in this section, please email: campaign@nonewtax.org.au
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