A report released today by the Parliamentary Budget Office (PBO), has confirmed state government grant funding for the CFA has declined from $351.6 million in 2020-21 to $339.5 million in 2023-24.
The PBO also noted that Treasurer Jaclyn Symes told Parliament in June that funding was cut further in 2024-25 to $337.6m.
This finding by the PBO directly contradicts Premier Allan's repeated claim that Labor had "only ever increased funding to the CFA."
This report follows the Victorian Auditor-General's rebuttal of Premier Allan's claim the CFA's missing 2024-25 annual report "wasn't available" to be released last year in part due to delays in the auditing process.
These cuts to CFA funding are a direct consequence of Labor's financial mismanagement, as Victoria's net debt continues to grow by $1.7 million an hour and is expected to reach a record $192.6 billion by 2028-29.
Leader of the Opposition and Shadow Treasurer, Jess Wilson, said: "For the second time this week, an independent umpire has called out Premier Allan for misleading Victorians.
"Premier Allan's claim that Labor has only ever increased funding for the CFA is simply not true. Victoria's independent budget watchdog has confirmed Labor has reduced funding every year since 2020.
"The Premier needs to show up, apologise to our CFA volunteers and explain why she isn't being honest with them about Labor's lack of support and mismanagement of the CFA over recent years.
"It's so disappointing that while our incredible CFA volunteers are out risking their lives, the Premier is more worried about political spin.
Leader of The Nationals and Shadow Minister for Emergency Services, Danny O'Brien, said:"CFA volunteers give their time, skills, and risk their lives, and the independent budget watchdog has confirmed what CFA volunteers already know: Labor continues to cut their funding.
"Cutting CFA funding isn't just numbers on a page; it has real consequences for regional communities.
"Jacinta Allan can't manage money, can't manage emergency services and - now it's been proven - can't even manage to tell the truth."
