ID :
106303
Fri, 02/12/2010 - 17:21
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/106303
The shortlink copeid
MPs defend Garrett over insulation issue
(AAP) - The Rudd government is rallying around Peter Garrett as the besieged environment minister digs in against calls for his resignation.
Mr Garrett is under growing pressure over his administration of the Rudd
government's $3.7 billion insulation rebate scheme.
The government has gone into damage control over four deaths associated with the
program introduced last year as part of its economic stimulus measures.
It has shut down the foil insulation component of the program - after two installers
were electrocuted - and launched an emergency audit of almost 50,000 homes that
could have "live" roofs.
Electricians say they're hearing reports of hundreds of homes across the nation
where the insulation has become live through contact with electrical fittings.
"(In one case an) electrician has identified a ceiling in a Brisbane home with 80
volts running through the foil, which had been stapled through electrical cables in
a number of places," Master Electricians Australia chief Malcolm Richards said.
Mr Garrett has admitted that he and his department were warned from early last year
about potential safety problems with the scheme but says he responded to those
concerns.
On Friday, a defiant Mr Garrett told Fairfax Radio Network the opposition claims
against him hadn't stuck.
"I'm continuing to do what I've done everyday when I get up," he said.
"I'm rolling up my sleeves and I'm getting on with the job and I'm doing the work
that I need to do."
Mr Garrett was surprised by claims by West Australian Treasurer Troy Buswell that
commonwealth bureaucrats told their WA counterparts in April last year they expected
a 10 per cent failure rate in the program.
"The scheme, as you know, doesn't have a performance value attached to it," he said,
highlighting the comment had come from a Liberal state minister.
Prime Minister Kevin Rudd continued to stand by his minister.
"I have absolute confidence in the minister," he told the Seven Network.
"It has been a very hard program to implement."
He acknowledged the installation deaths were a tragedy but said that was the case
with any person who died in an industrial accident.
Deputy Prime Minister Julia Gillard rejected opposition suggestions Mr Garrett was
in some way responsible for the deaths.
"Peter Garrett can't be in every roof in this country as insulation is being
installed," Ms Gillard told the Nine Network.
But Opposition Leader Tony Abbott wasn't backing away from a controversial comment
he made on Thursday that if Mr Garrett had been a company director in NSW he would
be charged with industrial manslaughter.
"In NSW if you're a company director and you engage contractors to do work and
people die on the job there's a policy of strict liability," he told Fairfax Radio
Network.
"This is a government program linked with four deaths and someone has got to take
responsibility."
Mr Garrett is under growing pressure over his administration of the Rudd
government's $3.7 billion insulation rebate scheme.
The government has gone into damage control over four deaths associated with the
program introduced last year as part of its economic stimulus measures.
It has shut down the foil insulation component of the program - after two installers
were electrocuted - and launched an emergency audit of almost 50,000 homes that
could have "live" roofs.
Electricians say they're hearing reports of hundreds of homes across the nation
where the insulation has become live through contact with electrical fittings.
"(In one case an) electrician has identified a ceiling in a Brisbane home with 80
volts running through the foil, which had been stapled through electrical cables in
a number of places," Master Electricians Australia chief Malcolm Richards said.
Mr Garrett has admitted that he and his department were warned from early last year
about potential safety problems with the scheme but says he responded to those
concerns.
On Friday, a defiant Mr Garrett told Fairfax Radio Network the opposition claims
against him hadn't stuck.
"I'm continuing to do what I've done everyday when I get up," he said.
"I'm rolling up my sleeves and I'm getting on with the job and I'm doing the work
that I need to do."
Mr Garrett was surprised by claims by West Australian Treasurer Troy Buswell that
commonwealth bureaucrats told their WA counterparts in April last year they expected
a 10 per cent failure rate in the program.
"The scheme, as you know, doesn't have a performance value attached to it," he said,
highlighting the comment had come from a Liberal state minister.
Prime Minister Kevin Rudd continued to stand by his minister.
"I have absolute confidence in the minister," he told the Seven Network.
"It has been a very hard program to implement."
He acknowledged the installation deaths were a tragedy but said that was the case
with any person who died in an industrial accident.
Deputy Prime Minister Julia Gillard rejected opposition suggestions Mr Garrett was
in some way responsible for the deaths.
"Peter Garrett can't be in every roof in this country as insulation is being
installed," Ms Gillard told the Nine Network.
But Opposition Leader Tony Abbott wasn't backing away from a controversial comment
he made on Thursday that if Mr Garrett had been a company director in NSW he would
be charged with industrial manslaughter.
"In NSW if you're a company director and you engage contractors to do work and
people die on the job there's a policy of strict liability," he told Fairfax Radio
Network.
"This is a government program linked with four deaths and someone has got to take
responsibility."
