Victoria election 2022: Daniel Andrews slammed by Liberals for State Electricity Commission jacket

Daniel Andrews has come under fire after appearing on TV wearing a jacket bearing the State Electricity Commission (SEC) logo which he is trying to revive.

Mr Andrews – famous for wearing a North Face branded jacket at the height of the Covid pandemic – is seeking to save the electricity supplier, which was largely privatized in the 1990s, as part of his re-election bid this month.

Former Liberal Prime Minister Jeff Kennett divided the SEC more than 20 years ago, leaving little of it in public hands.

Mr Andrews has promised to bring back the company, and state ownership of power assets, should he be re-elected on November 26.

But his decision to promote the provider – and wear a logo-branded jacket on TV – has drawn criticism from the opposition and divided opinion on social media.

Victoria Premier Daniel Andrews (pictured) faced controversy this week after wearing a jacket with the State Electricity Commission logo as part of his pledge to get the energy supplier back to work after privatization in the 1990s.

The Liberal Party berated Mr Andrews for not putting the SEC logo on his jacket – and applied to do it itself.

If further evidence was needed that Daniel Andrews’ thought bubble was needed to recreate an SEC, it would be found in the fact that Labor or the government doesn’t even own the trademark for the SEC logo he uses to lend some legitimacy to his idea,” a Liberal spokesperson told the Announce sun.

“He’s not planning on lowering electricity prices, just a logo that he doesn’t even have a trademark.”

Some Victorians expressed their grievances about the jacket and promotion of the SEC by Mr Andrews on social media.

So @danielandrewsis is already wearing an SEC jacket with today’s printing companies. How much of our money has been wasted on marketing materials for an organization that is just Dan’s dream and will never happen?’ said one.

Another said, “@DanielAndrewsMP digs up an old SEC jacket to force his multibillion-dollar buyback of the power grid.”

The SEC jacket shows Andrews’ desperation. He was crushed on morning television by lightweight interviewers,” a third added.

Mr Andrews says bringing back the SEC will create more jobs, lower utility bills for Victorians and help the state’s transition to renewables through several energy projects

But others applauded the Prime Minister’s decision to strongly support the energy supplier.

Smart move by Vic Premier Daniel Andrews to wear the jacket with the SEC logo. A revived state-owned renewable energy-focused SEC is a brilliant policy and resonates well with voters, especially in Latrobe Valley,” one wrote.

“Privatizing the SEC was the signature catastrophe of the Kennett administration.”

Prime Minister who supports state-owned energy companies versus opposition leader who supports private, right-wing organisations. That’s them in a nutshell,’ observed a second.

“As someone who has worked for SEC, this is great to see,” said another.

Mr Andrews said making the state’s electricity supplier public will create more jobs and apprenticeships, reduce energy bills and make a more effective transition to renewables by 2035 through several renewable energy projects.

“We’re bringing back the SEC. It is an opportunity for tens of thousands of workers, families and communities,” he said earlier this week.

“We are replacing offshore profits with offshore wind renewable megawatts…and it will lower energy costs for Victoria and families.”

“At our government schools, the SEC will be present at every career night, not only looking for the employees of the future, but also actively recruiting them,” he added.

The renewable energy projects through the SEC would put one-third of the state’s energy supplier back into government hands.