A CALL to pay volunteer firefighters has divided Border politicians with one supportive, another dismissive and a third undecided.
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Veterans Affairs Minister Darren Chester wants those involved in tackling blazes for days on end to be paid from a property levy.
Member for Albury Justin Clancy said he appreciated weeks of work by unpaid firefighters in NSW was taking a toll.
"I think we need to be aware of the impact that these fires are making on our volunteers and need to be exploring ways we can support them," Mr Clancy said.
"I understand there's a number of different things suggested, whether they be tax breaks or financial stipends."
Mr Clancy said the exact form of pay-off was for the NSW Rural Fire Service and government to discuss.
Member for Benambra and West Wodonga CFA volunteer Bill Tilley rubbished Mr Chester's proposal.
"Darren with all due respect it's an old chestnut that gets raised when there's moods and swirls in the community, but you've got to be a responsible government and decisions you make today are the precedents you set for tomorrow," Mr Tilley said.
He said an emergency services levy was being paid in Victoria and an employee compensation scheme saw volunteers paid their wage when they travelled to fight fires.
Mr Tilley has been unable to join a strike team due to personal compliance issues which he hopes to resolve in coming days.
Member for Indi Helen Haines hedged over paying volunteer fire personnel.
"I don't know what people in Indi have to say about this, but what we do need is to have a national conversation about how we plan for fire seasons such as this," Dr Haines said.
"With climate change we are facing longer fire seasons and that is putting an extraordinary strain on our volunteer firefighters."
Mr Chester, a Gippslander, notes a levy would see urbanites help "pay for the protection of the bush environment that is often neglected...through lack of resources".
