Garrett cancels insulation rebate program

Environment Minister Peter Garrett has announced the end of the government's controversial insulation rebate scheme, after the deaths of several contractors.

insulation_091029_L_sbs_1727787984
Environment Minister Peter Garrett has announced the end of the government's controversial insulation rebate scheme, after the deaths of several contractors.

The solar hot water rebate scheme has also been ended. Both will be replaced by a new household renewable energy bonus.

The $3.7 billion dollar insulation program - aimed at boosting the energy efficiency of Australian homes - was introduced last year as part of the government stimulus.

About one million households have taken advantage of the scheme, but Mr Garrett has been under pressure following the revelation that four workers have died while installing various forms of insulation.

Experts said the trouble arose because the industry was unregulated, meaning untrained workers were being brought in to install insulation.

"It's been a free-for-all," Brian Tikey, president of the Aluminium Foil Insulation Association, told a Senate inquiry. "There's no duty of care."

Both schemes will end at close of business on Friday, Mr Garrett said.



Share

1 min read

Published

Updated

By staff, agencies

Source: SBS


Share this with family and friends


Get SBS News daily and direct to your Inbox

Sign up now for the latest news from Australia and around the world direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Download our apps
SBS News
SBS Audio
SBS On Demand

Listen to our podcasts
An overview of the day's top stories from SBS News
Interviews and feature reports from SBS News
Your daily ten minute finance and business news wrap with SBS Finance Editor Ricardo Gonçalves.
A daily five minute news wrap for English learners and people with disability
Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS
SBS World News

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service
Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world