Rudd stands by besieged Garrett

Peter Garrett will remain a political liability for the federal government, with
Kevin Rudd standing by his besieged environment minister and ignoring calls to sack
him.
The opposition ramped up calls for Mr Garrett's head as more evidence emerged the
minister and his department were told of significant safety concerns with its $3.7
billion roof insulation program.
"If he was a company director in NSW he would be charged with industrial
manslaughter," Opposition Leader Tony Abbott told parliament on Thursday.
The coalition argues Mr Garrett was reckless by taking too long to respond to
warnings, only this week shutting down the dangerous foil insulation component of
the program.
The Rudd government has gone into damage control over four deaths associated with
the insulation scheme introduced last year as part of its economic stimulus
measures.
This episode follows a string of portfolio problems for the former rock star, who
has struggled as a minister.
Mr Rudd stood by Mr Garrett after Mr Abbott questioned if he had confidence in his
minister.
"Both myself and the government has full confidence in the minister for the
environment," Mr Rudd said.
So far, the coalition has failed to produce an unequivocally damning piece of
evidence against Mr Garrett but the minister remains a liability for the government
this election year.
Mr Rudd's support might waver if further evidence emerges that suggests the minister
should have acted earlier.
Mr Garrett admitted on Thursday his department was told as early as last April that
the insulation work could be highly hazardous, with "a high likelihood of serious
injury or deaths if risks were not managed".
"As a direct response, my department moved to develop a comprehensive risk
assessment, facilitated by Minter Ellison Consulting, to identify and manage the
full range of risks in successful implementation of the project ahead of the full
rollout on 1 July," Mr Garrett said.
During a sustained attack in question time, Mr Garrett insisted he had done
everything within his power to address the problems.
When told of the dangers posed by using metal fasteners in the installation process,
Mr Garrett said: "I acted in an immediate and in a direct way."
"I have discharged my responsibilities to the fullest capacity I can muster," Mr
Garrett said.
The opposition will continue to target him after unsuccessfully trying to censure Mr
Rudd for not sacking Mr Garrett.
Mr Abbott said the minister had been derelict in his duties for not heeding earlier
warnings and had tried to foist the blame for problems on rogue installers.
"This is about deaths of four young Australians flowing from the maladministration
of this portfolio by this incompetent minister," he said.
While the government had targeted Nationals Senator Barnaby Joyce for stuff-ups in
his role as the opposition finance spokesman, Mr Abbott said: "(He) hasn't been
responsible for programs that have killed people."
That didn't stop the government having a go at Senator Joyce, picking up on another
instance on Thursday when he mistakenly used billions instead of millions.
"Anyone can make a slip of the tongue but unfortunately this is becoming a habit
with Senator Joyce," Finance Minister Lindsay Tanner said.
Mr Tanner warned if Senator Joyce were a minister he could be a risk to jobs and
economic activity.
"The accuracy and the responsibility of statements that are made by the nation's
treasurer and finance minister are critical," he said.
"They can influence market behaviour, they can influence investment decisions, they
can influence confidence of other nations."
Senator Joyce said he would not fight Mr Abbott if he wanted to move him on from
finance down the track.
"I'd go, absolutely, absolutely, absolutely," he told Fairfax Media online.
"This is a great honour doing this job, but I wouldn't cry in my beer if I left.
"I would really walk out the door and be a happy man and think I'd done my bit for
my country."