Liberals pledge to cut rego fees for young drivers

FIRST-year drivers would save almost $300 on their car registration, under a Coalition cost-of-living pitch to younger voters to be unveiled on Sunday.

FIRST-year drivers would save almost $300 on their car registration under a Coalition cost-of-living pitch to younger voters.

Opposition Leader Matthew Guy will on Sunday unveil his plan — costing up to $63.7 million over four years — to cut the cost of registration for vehicles owned by red P-plate drivers.

Mr Guy told the Sunday Herald Sun that the scheme would slash the cost of registering a standard vehicle — which currently costs $700-$816 depending on where they live.

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“For many young Victorians, owning a car is essential when starting in the workforce, taking up a trade or further studies,” Mr Guy said.

“This small but important saving will help young Victorians get back in control of their finances at a time when many are struggling with the costs of life after school.”

Vehicle fees — which cover a “registration component” and Transport Accident Charge — are expected to pour more than $1.6 billion into government coffers in 2018-19.

The Coalition has pledged to cover the $295 registration component, if it is elected next month.

The policy would cost $63.7 million over four years, if all 50,000 red P-­platers on Victorian roads annually registered a car and took up the offer.

Matthew Guy will offer discount registration on vehicles owned by red P-Plate drivers. Picture: AAP

It would cost $31.8 million if half did, with some P-platers likely to drive their parents’ cars instead of buying and registering their own.

The policy is a clear shot at easing cost-of-living pressures on younger voters — who polling shows tend to favour Labor or the Greens — and comes after promises to reduce water and power bills, and provide free books to secondary students at public schools.

The cost of living is shaping as a key election battleground with both major parties vowing to ease the burden on voters’ hip pockets.

The government introduced half-price registration for apprentices two years into its first term and expanded the scheme this year.

Now seeking a second term, Premier Daniel Andrews this week promised to scrap expensive “default” electricity and gas tariffs and is offering solar-power subsidies.

The Coalition has unveiled plans to provide discounted power plans for low-income households, saving up to $500 a year.

Mr Guy pointed to rising power and water bills, as well as 12 new or increased taxes, to claim Mr Andrews could not be trusted.

“Victorians can’t afford four more years of more Labor taxes that will put even more pressure on household budgets,” Mr Guy said.

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