Article by Zoe De Koning, courtesy of The Courier Mail.
29.08.2025
Sirens blared past Ballarat Civic Hall on Friday morning as CFA vehicles protested the state government’s emergency services levy.
Dozens of trucks and utes took part in the protest convoy which circled the hall where the Prime Minister and Victorian Premier will speak.
One protestor spoke to crowds, saying “regional Australia is burning”, and demanded Premier Allan and PM Albanese listen to their concerns.
Protestors could be seen holding signs which read, “shove your levy up your arse”, “don’t bite the hand that feeds you”, and “scrap the tax” among others.
Others were angry about the renewable energy rollout.
Nationals Senator Bridget McKenzie arrived on a tractor amid the chaos, carrying a sign which read “stop Labor’s towers”.
Speaking to media, Senator McKenzie said she “hoped the Prime Minister” took notice of the protests on Friday.
“We head to Canberra week in, week out and make speeches in the Senate and the House of Representatives, taking the concerns of the nine million Australians who don’t live in capital cities about this government’s policies in this rush to industrialise our farmlands,” she said.
“It’s out of sight, out of mind for our regional communities and we’re not going to miss the opportunity to take it right up to our Premier, right up to the Prime Minister today at Bush Summit.”
