Charges laid over insulation death

(AAP) - Charges have been laid against a father-and-son company over the death of a worker electrocuted while fitting roof insulation under a botched federal government scheme.

Matthew Fuller, aged 25, died while fitting foil insulation in the roof of a
Brisbane home in October.
Workplace authorities have charged Christopher William McKay and Christopher John
McKay, of QHI Installations, for allegedly failing to ensure their company complied
with its workplace obligations.
The company has been charged with allegedly failing to run its business in an
electrically-safe way.
If found guilty, the company faces a maximum penalty of $500,000 and the father and
son duo each face a maximum penalty of $100,000 or two years' imprisonment.
Mr Fuller was one of four installers who died under the government's $2.45 billion
roof insulation scheme, which was axed last month.
The scheme was linked with 120 house fires and widespread safety and quality problems.
As one company faces charges over the scheme, the net is also closing on some shonky
installers who rorted it.
The government is looking very closely at 51,000 claims for payment.
Junior climate change minister Greg Combet has written to all installers telling
them they could have their property seized or face criminal charges if they've done
the wrong thing.
Mr Combet said problems with the 51,000 outstanding claims included installers
lodging duplicate claims for the same job, multiple claims for the same address, and
potential fraud.
Auditors from consulting firm KPMG are going through the claims.
"The government has made it clear that companies that engaged in fraud will be
prosecuted," Mr Combet warned in his email to installers, seen by AAP.
"We can advise that criminal prosecution for serious fraud leaves the way open for
recovery of debt through further civil action or seizure of property."
Mr Combet also announced publicly that installers who were left with excess pink
batts when the scheme was axed will get up to $500,000 in compensation.
Companies can seek a cash payment for 15 per cent of the value of their leftover
pink batts under the $15 million fund.
Mr Combet said only reputable companies who had met tighter registration
requirements introduced in February would qualify.
The compensation does not apply to foil insulation, but more details have been
released about safety inspections for homes fitted out with foil.
Taxpayers will pay for an army of 760 electricians to check all 50,000 homes fitted
with foil insulation, mainly in Queensland.
The government will pay consultants PricewaterhouseCoopers to manage the inspections.
The consultants will hire UGL Services to provide the 760 electricians needed to do
the work.
The government decided to inspect all homes fitted with foil insulation after safety
concerns. All householders can have the insulation removed, or a safety switch
fitted, for free.
Opposition climate spokesman Greg Hunt said the pink batts compensation was not enough.
Just 15 per cent return on unsold insulation was "derisory" and companies should get
a full refund up to $500,000, he said.