Discounts on energy-efficient fridges and TVs

A Liberal Nationals Government will offer discounts of 40% for new energy-efficient fridges and 50% for new energy-efficient TVs, for up to 85,000 low income households.

Daniel Andrews has lost control of electricity prices and costs of living pressures.

That’s why a Liberal Nationals Government will provide between 40,000 and 85,000 low income households with a 40% or 50% discount on the cost of upgrading old fridges and TVs to energy saving models.

According to research by St Vincent de Paul’s, under Daniel Andrews electricity prices have risen by around $450 and gas prices have increased by around $500.

Many Victorians who are doing it tough financially have ageing and energy-inefficient TVs and fridges but can’t afford the cost of replacing them with energy saving models.

The comparable NSW program has shown that upgrading TVs and fridges to energy efficient models can save households up to $325 a year on their electricity bills.

Under the NSW program replacing an old, inefficient fridge can save between $100 and $200 per year on household energy bills and replacing a plasma or cathode ray tube (CRT) television with an LCD television can save between $50 and $125 per year.

An elected Liberal Nationals Government will offer discounts for eligible residents when they replace their old, inefficient TVs and fridges with new, selected energy efficient fridges and televisions. Under this scheme, those eligible will get 40% off the cost off a fridge and 50% off the cost of a television. The offer applies to selected fridge and television models.

To be eligible for this discount you must be a resident of Victoria and hold a Pensioner Concession Card, Health Care Card from Centrelink or a Veterans’ Affairs Gold Card.  To apply, your current fridge must be at least 6 years old and your TV must be a plasma or cathode ray tube (CRT) television.

Under the NSW scheme the Government has negotiated a deal with a major retailer (The Good Guys) to manage the program, with around 30,000 households benefitting to date.

This program will cost $40 million over four years.

An elected Liberal Nationals Government will also strike a deal with electricity providers so over 900,000 low income earners will be looking at savings of around $250 to $530 a year on their electricity bills.

A Liberal Nationals Government will support the construction of a 500MW power station that independent modelling shows will save average households around $355 a year, small businesses around $860 and LSMEs around $1,720 a year.

Comments attributable to Leader of the Liberal Party, Matthew Guy:

“Under a Liberal Nationals Government, eligible Victorians could save up to $325 a year on their electricity costs plus save 50% on a new TV and save 40% on a new fridge.

“This is a win-win policy, it’s going to cut the cost of living and it’s going to cut carbon emissions which is great for the environment.

“Victorians will have a clear choice at the election. More of the same new taxes and waste from Daniel Andrews or a Liberal Nationals Government that will better manage the economy, cut tax and take the financial pressure off Victorians.

“Under the Liberal Nationals’ cost of living relief package, Victorian households can save up to $1,700 a year.

“Only a Liberal Nationals Government will cut tax and ease the squeeze on cost of living pressures.”

Comments attributable to Shadow Treasurer, Michael O’Brien:

“Daniel Andrews has lost control of cost of living pressures.

“In just four years of the Andrews Labor Government, state taxes have gone up 35% and households are paying hundreds of dollars more for electricity and gas.

“An elected Liberal Nationals Government will provide free school books for secondary students at government schools, cut water bills by up to $100 a year and cut up to $530 a year on electricity bills for eligible Victorians.

“A re-elected Andrews Labor Government is going to raise your taxes and take more money out of your pocket.”

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