State Minister Lily D’Ambrosio is attempting damage control by claiming in a media release that she is acting “swiftly” to stop a government scheme in which unwanted refrigerators have been delivered to Victorian businesses.

“Government incentives for energy efficient refrigerated cabinets will be removed from the Victorian Energy Upgrades program as of today [Wed. June 29] until a full activity review can be undertaken,” Ms D’Ambrosio said, as media reports gave details of one business receiving more than 10 new commercial refrigerators without asking for them.

“Minister for Energy Lily D’Ambrosio has acted swiftly to protect Victorians following reports of providers dumping fridges and gaming of the energy efficiency program by removing all VEU incentives for ‘plug-in’ refrigerated cabinets,” the State Government media release said.

“The review will ensure the VEU program continues to meet its goals, making Victorian households and businesses more energy efficient and appropriately incentivising upgrades.

“The review will also look to strengthen the requirement to replace existing refrigeration cabinets and limiting the number of fridges per business.

“The removal of incentives builds on the action taken last week by the Essential Services Commission, the regulator and administrator of the VEU program, to pause the processing of Victorian energy efficiency certificates for multiple installations of refrigerator cabinets while investigating any wrongdoing,” the media release claimed.

“The Victorian Energy Upgrades program has helped more than two million Victorian households and businesses cut their energy bills and created local jobs while we aim to halve emissions by 2030,” Ms D’Ambrosio said.