VFF President Andrew Broad said the current system of linking fire services funding with insurance was inequitable and that the government needed to take heed of suggested alternative models.

The VFF has long argued that the funding of fire services via a levy on insurance is wrong. It is an outdated system which most of the other Australian states moved away from a long time ago, Mr Broad said.

We are very pleased that the Bushfire Royal Commission is looking at the funding of fire services as a part of its

review.

We hope that the Royal Commission will prove independently that the current model is inequitable, and that these findings will prompt the State Government to listen to those organisations providing evidence of a more appropriate alternative.

The VFF supports a charge on building values and car registrations to provide funding for fire services. This is a fairer and more broad-based funding system which will ultimately translate into lower costs for every Victorian, Mr Broad concluded.

The Discussion Paper released by the Bushfire Royal Commission poses 10 questions relating to the funding of fire services in Victoria. The VFF's submission is available at www.vff.org.au and the Discussion Paper is available here.