The Insurance Council is livid that the Government is ruling out the fairest, most cost effective and sustainable way of funding the Fire Service.

Currently the Fire Service is funded through insurance levies.

The Council says like other countries, it wants the service to be funded by Government.

Chief Executive Tim Grafton argues the current system pings everyone who insures their property, pointing out those who don’t insure get a free-ride and expect firefighters to rescue them when it counts.

"Funding it from a levy that you paid for your iPhone insurance cover is a nutty way to do it and it means people who don't insure that property still get the protection of the Fire Service. They should be contributing."