Joint Statement - Labor wastes money on SEC branded yoyos and mugs as power bills soar

Joint Statement – Labor wastes money on SEC branded yoyos and mugs as power bills soar

David Davis, Shadow Minister for Energy, Affordability and Security

James Newbury, Shadow Minister for Planning

9 February 2024.

As Victorians struggle to pay record power bills, the Allan Government has wasted nearly $400,000 on SEC branded merchandise including yoyos and coffee mugs.

New documents obtained by the Victorian Opposition under Freedom of Information have confirmed between 1 December 2022 and 30 November 2023, the Allan Government spent a total $380,593 on SEC merchandise, including:
• $2,172.65 on Minnesota canvas colour tote bags.
• $820.45 on 300 wooden yoyos.
• $924.97 on 100 campster mugs.
• $4,193.37 on strategy launch canvas tote bags.
• $3,231.70 on booklets and postcards.
• $7,062.50 on brand templates and visual guidelines.
• $791.27 on 100 Calico tote bags.

Since it was announced more than 15 months ago, Labor’s SEC is yet to invest in a single new energy generation project, while power prices have risen by up to 25 per cent over the same period.

Shadow Minister for Environment and Climate Change, James Newbury, said: “Wasting hundreds of thousands of dollars on yoyos and coffee mugs is offensive to every Victorian struggling to pay an energy bill and make ends meet in a cost-of-living crisis.

“Instead of sitting in her office spinning an SEC branded yoyo, the Minister for Energy should be focused on bringing down power prices for every Victorian household and small business.”

Shadow Minister for Energy, Affordability and Security, David Davis, said: “Yoyos, mugs and tote bags won’t lower power prices and Labor’s SEC is proving to be nothing more than merchandise and marketing spin.

“Whether it is Labor’s plan to shut off gas supplies, cut concessions to pensioners or the debacle in our offshore wind sector, Victorians continue to pay the price for Labor’s mismanagement of our energy system.”

James Newbury, Shadow Minister for Planning

David Davis, Shadow Minister for Energy, Affordability and Security