Garrett to boost insulation audit

22 Feb 2010, 2:54 pm   -   Source: AAP/ABC
0 Comments
Share This
+ Comment
0
Taxpayers are set to foot the bill for a new safety audit to thousands of homes installed with insulation under the government's scheme. (AAP)

Taxpayers are set to foot the bill for a new safety audit to thousands of homes installed with insulation under the government's scheme. (AAP)

Taxpayers are set to foot the bill for a new safety audit to thousands of homes installed with insulation under the government's scheme.

RELATED

Taxpayers are set to foot the bill for a new safety audit to thousands of homes installed with insulation under the government's scheme.

Earlier today, Environment Minister Peter Garrett confirmed the government had expanded the audit program to 15 per cent of homes with non-foil insulation.

Mr Garrett continues to be under intense political pressure over his handling of the insulation scheme, which provided free ceiling insulation worth up to $1,600 for the homes of eligible owner-occupiers.

Meanwhile there's an estimated 160,000 homes that had non foil insulation are set to be audited as per the new safety measure.

A Senate inquiry has heard evidence that there were inherent risks in the industry and also found that Mr Garrett wasn't shown a damning report detailing the risks.

It's also been reported he never even knew of the report's existence.

Mr Garrett's department commissioned a high-level report from law firm Minter Ellison before the program's start in July last year.

The report warned that lax controls could lead to fraud and criminal behaviour, inflated charges and ineligible people accessing the program.

Department 'sorry' for deaths

Meanwhile the ABC reports Robyn Kruk, the public servant in charge of Mr Garrett's department, has apologised for the deaths of installers working on the insulation scheme.

Ms Kruk appeared at the Senate inquiry, and apologised to the families of four installers whose deaths were linked to the program.

"I place on the record my recognition of the loss of those families. It is my advice, and I'll be guided by my officers, that there have been communications with some of the members of the families of the deceased", she said.

Department 'ill-equipped'

The Senate inquiry also found the department was ill-equipped to roll out the massive program and that the time available to devise the scheme was "extremely limited".

Ms Kruk, who had weekly briefings with her minister throughout the scheme's roll-out, said she had "no idea" whether Mr Garrett had asked to see the report earlier.

In answer to a question about Mr Garrett's involvement in safety issues, she said the minister "didn't sit there like a mute".
 

  • Follow us: 
  • Follow us on Facebook
  • Follow us on Twitter
  • Follow us on Youtube

Join the Discussion

Name
City / Suburb E.g. Artarmon, Sydney
Title
Comment
You have characters remaining.
Validation
What's this?
This is a captcha-picture. It is used to prevent mass-access by robots.
All submitted comments become the property of SBS. They are moderated, so we reserve the right to edit comments and remove HTML tags. Not all submitted comments will be published. Publication does not mean we endorse the opinions expressed. Please read our terms and conditions for more information.