Reality has already bitten in households and businesses across Victoria as rates notices - including the insidious emergency services tax - arrive in letter boxes.
Victorians are now copping the full force of Labor's $3 billion emergency services tax grab and it makes for ugly reading.
In some instances, Victorians are being forced to pay more for the emergency services tax than in the actual rates themselves.
Households and commercial properties are copping a 100 per cent tax increase - on top of their usual rates bill.
Industrial properties are being slugged 64 per cent extra.
Farmers have a one-year reprieve, before another reality hits - a 150 per cent rise.
As rates notices are delivered throughout the state in coming weeks, the pain will spread.
This tax will not help frontline services. Those services are being cut, with Labor dodging questions on total funding for the Country Fire Authority, State Emergency Service and Fire Rescue Victoria.
Leader of the Opposition, Brad Battin, said this is yet another unfair tax that will hit every Victorian.
"Over the past year, Victorians have paid more for rent, insurance, medical services and energy - now Labor wants to add even more to the cost-of-living," Mr Battin said.
"These notices are a nasty reminder of the real-life impact of the Allan Labor Government's addiction to debt."
Leader of The Nationals and Shadow Minister for Emergency Services, Danny O'Brien, said the tax bills were a nasty home delivery amid a cost-of-living crisis.
"There's a viper waiting in your letter box. It will spring up and bite you," Mr O'Brien said.
"There's been protests and a lot of talk about this tax, now it's there for all to see in black type.
"Labor is taking more and giving less with this tax, which is more about filling gaping holes in the budget than supporting frontline emergency services.
"Our promise is clear - the Liberals and Nationals will scrap this tax and ease the cost-of-living burden on all Victorians."
