Victoria's major parties have both promised power bill relief at their official election launches ahead of polls opening.
After the coalition unveiled its "bill buster" policy on Sunday morning, Premier Daniel Andrews promised another round of the $250 power saving bonus from March next year if Labor is re-elected on November 26.
"Families are suffering because these companies rely on you not to get the best deal," he told Labor faithful gathered at Cranbourne.
Introduced by his wife Catherine and their three children, Premier Daniel Andrews was welcomed to the tune of Moloko's Sing it Back (Bring it back), in a reference to Labor's promise to re-establish the State Electricity Commission (SEC).
Once on stage, he also announced a $207 million package to upgrade specialist schools, a promise to hire at least 6000 jobs for apprenticeships and trainees as part of the re-establishment of the SEC and local content requirements on state-owned and supported renewable energy projects.
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"We have 13 days that will determine what happens in our state for the next four years," Mr Andrews said.
In Port Melbourne, Opposition Leader Matthew Guy promised a Liberal-National government would cut $235 from household electricity bills by scrapping the electricity supply charge portion of bills for the first half of 2023.
It's expected to cost taxpayers about $200m and whether it can be extended would depend on the budget, but it can be done by executive powers and will not need legislation.
New gas projects in Victoria would also be quarantined to supply only the state under a new Liberal-National election policy.
"We will legislate to require that 100 per cent of all new gas produced in Victoria is quarantined for Victorian use," Mr Guys said.
The Liberal-National government in 2012 put a moratorium on all onshore gas exploration, which the Labor government maintained.
The Andrews government permanently banned fracking and coal seam gas extraction in 2017 and then allowed conventional exploration to restart last year before banning fracking.
"Allowing the private sector to locate new sources of gas will help to bring more supply into the Victorian energy market and reduce cost pressures," Mr Guys said.
Mr Guy used the launch to reiterate promises already made, including scrapping part of Labor's Suburban Rail Loop to redirect money to the ailing health system.
He also reminded the audience of Victoria's COVID-19 lockdowns and the Andrews government's handling of the pandemic.
The launches came after Victorian Electoral Commission has confirmed its investigation into the Liberal donor scandal will not be complete before election day on November 26.
The probe was initiated after former chief of staff Mitch Catlin solicited a billionaire Liberal donor to make more than $100,000 in payments to his private marketing company.
Mr Guy has repeatedly insisted a contract sent to his personal email address was never signed or agreed to despite Mr Catlin departing his role.
In August, the Liberal leader promised to hand over all relevant documents after contacted by the electoral commission.
The VEC said the information it obtained often prompted the need to seek more through written notices and it must search for factual evidence that is admissible in court.
Australian Associated Press
