Matt Johnston: Election sweeteners set for an early start

THE Andrews Government’s plan to give households $50 in a “bill busting” program signals they’ll deliver some fat Budget surpluses, writes Matt Johnston.

IF YOU didn’t know already, now you do.

It’s an election year.

And the sweeteners are starting nice and early.

The Andrews Government’s plan to stuff $50 notes into your pockets through a “bill busting” program is a sign that it understands cost-of-living pressures are biting.

The Sunday Herald Sun has run a long campaign highlighting the impact of skyrocketing bills, and families feeling the pinch need a hand.

Last year, electricity giants were convinced to return up to $71 million to people on “default” deals.

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The Andrews Government has unveiled a new plan to tackle rising power costs.

Now, people have an incentive to visit a website that could further slash rising bills. The plan signals that Treasurer Tim Pallas will deliver fat Budget surpluses.

And so he bloody well should, given the amount of money sloshing around government coffers after $14 billion worth of asset sales done or about to be done this term.

No doubt some people will regardless question the size of the cash splash.

The government would love that, because the more people talking about their blank cheques the better, from a political perspective.

Denis Napthine made the mistake of leaving a key coalition pledge — a $100 rebate to parents of kindergarten children — until three weeks before the 2014 election.

Labor’s plan gets in early, but also forcefully nudges people to do what experts say can easily save households a lot of money: shop around for a better deal.