Centrelink recipients to get half-price flatscreen TVs and fridges paid for by YOU under new scheme 

Taxpayers could soon be shelling out for Centerlink recipients to get discounts on new fridges and televisions under a new scheme proposed by the Coalition government.

Victorian Opposition Leader Matthew Guy vowed to lower soaring living costs for struggling families when he made the $40 million election promise on Friday.

Up to 85,000 low income households in Victoria will be eligible for the planned 40 per cent discounts on household items. 

Centrelink recipients, pensioners and veterans will all be eligible for the scheme if the Liberals are elected to government on November 24.

Centrelink recipients, pensioners and veterans who have a fridge that’s at least six-years-old will be able to get a 40 per cent discount on a new model under a Victorian Liberal government

Between 40,000 and 85,000 low income households could save up to $325 a year on electricity costs under the bold election promise.

‘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,’ Mr Guy said in a statement.

Electricity prices have skyrocketed by $450 and $500 for gas in the last four years while Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews has been in power, according to St Vincent de Paul research.

‘Daniel Andrews has lost control of cost of living pressures,’ shadow treasurer Michael O’Brien said.

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

The policy announcement sparked a mixed response from voters on social media.

‘Who is going to pay for the removal and disposal of these old electrical goods? What do I hear you say, the ratepayers?,’ one voter tweeted.

Up to 85,000 low income households will get discounts of up to 50 per cent on a new LCD screen if they upgrade their old plasma or cathode ray tube TV under the proposed scheme

Up to 85,000 low income households will get discounts of up to 50 per cent on a new LCD screen if they upgrade their old plasma or cathode ray tube TV under the proposed scheme

If elected, the proposed program would be similar to the NSW government’s successful scheme, where low income earners who replace their old televisions with LCD screens can save $50-$125 per year and $100-$200 by updating their fridges.

More than 30,000 NSW households have benefited from the program. 

The proposed scheme will only go ahead if Matthew Guy (pictured) is elected as Victoria Premier on November 24

The proposed scheme will only go ahead if Matthew Guy (pictured) is elected as Victoria Premier on November 24

Their current fridge must be at least six-years old and their television must be a plasma or cathode ray tube if the proposed Victorian scheme goes ahead.   

Mr Guy has also promised free school books for public high school students, water bills slashed by up to $100 a year and savings up to $530 a year on electricity bills in a desperate bid to score more votes.

Mr Andrews is priced at $1.40 by Sportsbet to be elected as Premier for a second term, while Mr Guy is at $3.30. 

Around 325,000 Victorian voters have already cast their votes, The Herald Sun reported.

Between 40,000 and 85,000 low income households could save up to $325 a year on electricity costs under the Liberals' election promise

Between 40,000 and 85,000 low income households could save up to $325 a year on electricity costs under the Liberals’ election promise

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