Move to pin Rudd on insulation debacle

Opposition Leader Tony Abbott has asked what Prime Minister Kevin Rudd was trying to
hide about the government's axed insulation scheme after documents were partially
blanked out.

The federal opposition has continued trying to pin the blame for the insulation
debacle on Mr Rudd.
The $2.45 billion insulation scheme was suspended due to the deaths of four
installers, more than 100 house fires, and safety and quality concerns about
hundreds of thousands of homes.
Environment Minister Peter Garrett, has largely worn the blame for the botched
scheme, and was demoted and stripped of responsibility for energy efficiency.
The opposition is trying to find evidence the prime minister knew of safety problems
with the scheme well before it was axed.
Mr Abbott focused on the scheme in question time on Monday, claiming Mr Rudd had
failed to disclose four "personal briefings" he received from bureaucrats on the
insulation scheme, from last August.
Information made public by the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet shows the
insulation briefings took place - but doesn't reveal what was said.
In response, Mr Rudd said he had made public the fact that other briefings and
correspondence had happened.
He also took the blame for the scheme, as he has done before.
"I, as prime minister, accept full responsibility for problems which have arisen,"
Mr Rudd told the House of Representatives.
Mr Rudd also confirmed that safety matters had been raised with him through letters
from Mr Garrett in correspondence that began in August.
Mr Abbott wanted to know why some pages of government information on progress
reports about the scheme, tabled at a Senate committee, had been blanked out.
"I ask the prime minister what is he, and what is his government, trying to hide?"
he asked.
The opposition also claims that some insurance companies are demanding home owners
have a roof safety inspection before they can get cover, due to the fear of fire.
But junior energy efficiency minister Greg Combet - which took over responsibility
for the insulation scheme - said the Insurance Council of Australia had told him it
was unaware of any cases of a company refusing insurance because of insulation put
in under the government's scheme.
Speaking to reporters at parliament house, Mr Abbott said it was clear the
government "was warned again and again that this scheme would be a disaster".
Liberal backbencher Stuart Robert took aim at the government over claims made in the
media that the names and contact details of people who had insulation installed were
being sold for profit, as companies offer to help with the clean-up.
"This government, with its Midas touch, everything it touches turns to absolute
excrement," Mr Robert told reporters.