Insulation
Twelve months ago today I released a video blog warning of the dangers of the Home Insulation Program.

Back then, Peter Garrett’s office had been denying a link between his program and house fires. Astonishing to believe, given the some 200 fires we have now. It was when there had been only one tragic loss of a young installer. Three more would follow.
But by then, the avalanche of problems of safety hazards, rorting and waste were being made very clear to my office. Which is why, 12 months ago, I warned in the video: “You also have a risk of fires … Pink batts on down-lights equal fires …you have the risk of electrocution for people who aren’t trained … There are risks of further tragedies.”
Continue reading "Looking back on 12 months of fatal inaction" »
Kevin Rudd has enlisted his MPs as an insulation scheme army, ordering them to help out by visiting insulation companies to help distribute the Government’s $41 million rescue package. The heat appears to be off Peter Garrett. Join us here from 2pm as we cover Question Time live.
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Kim says:
Have you seen the latest news? Peter Garrett’s just been demoted. He is now the Minister for Environment Protection, Heritage and the Arts. How is that a demotion? Pffffftttt Read more »
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JR says:
That article, and specifically the 85 per year figure before 2009, does not state how the fires were linked to the batts. As I understand it the 93 fires from the scheme were linked specifically to poor installation. How many were linked to the product quality of the batts? Poor… Read more »
Tony Abbott has accused Kevin Rudd of sexing up the language in the counter-terrorism white paper. Very Wag the Dog. Join us here from 2pm for our live coverage of Question Time.
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John A Neve says:
Sherlock, As I have explained before on this site, a Financial Debits Tax, would reduce tax for the majority, possibly all taxpayers. But would catch every one, as a result the government would have a greater tax income. Think outside the box Sherlock, you are all too busy proving that… Read more »
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Sherlock says:
John you said that the “the pool of payers would be larger” I’m just interested where these extra taxpayers are going to come from. Your question? You mean are the rich getting richer? Certainly are as they have been since the beginning of time and will continue to do so.… Read more »
It was so simple for the Opposition. Keep hammering Peter Garrett on the details of when exactly he saw Minter Ellison warnings about the risks associated with the Government’s home insulation scheme.

If they didn’t get his scalp, they would at least have a strong message about Ministerial incompetence in the Rudd Government for the Federal Election campaign.
Then this morning Liberal Senator Simon Birmingham jumped the shark.
Continue reading "Coalition’s own goal in the insulation shoot-out" »
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sahi says:
Shame on Kevin Rudd debarcle conclusion of the isolation in which people died and political business people will lose top scorer in this election, to send all its MPs in their constituencies to help people who have had insulation installed.ldl cholesterol levels And none of the Labour voters? will have… Read more »
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JeniferHowe says:
If you’re in uncomfortable position and have got no money to go out from that, you will have to receive the mortgage loans. Just because that should aid you definitely. I get secured loan every year and feel myself great because of it. Read more »
I have a confession to make. I have a soft spot for the Australian Workers Union.

Before anyone gets too excited, let me explain. My great, great aunt was Dame Mary Gilmore, the first female member of the AWU. Dame Mary was one of Australia’s greatest ever poets who now graces our ten dollar note.
Dame Mary edited the women’s page of the Australian Worker before heading off to South America in 1900 to be part of William Lane’s ‘New Australia’ commune in Paraguay.
Continue reading "The unions were complicit in Garrett’s insulation failure" »
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alan cotterell says:
What has the Liberal Party done to alienate the Australian Industry Group? Heather Ridout has clearly stated that workplace OHS is the province of the employer, NOT peter Garrett! Read more »
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Dingo says:
John, how our debt compares to other nations should be irrelevant. However if you really want to keep making that comparison, consider our comparative unemployment rate and net govt surplus when the GFC first arose. Then look at some of the very serious issues now facing several of the highly… Read more »
GONE are the days of burning the Midnight Oil and singing about the dangers of environmental degradation.

Peter Garrett is beginning to learn it’s not easy being green when you are in Government.
After originally singing the praises of his $2.5 billion insulation program, the Environment Minister is now at risk of finding himself in the political wilderness over the accident-prone rebate scheme which he unceremoniously dumped on Friday.
Continue reading "Pulling the scheme hasn’t insulated the Government" »
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Facts and Figures says:
Interestingly, on this issue, If you look at the figures. Courtesy of the Bureau of Statistics (domicile insulation, fires and accidents Australia 1980 thou 2009). The installation of the insulation by numbers, the incidence of death and fire has actually decreased under the so-called failed scheme. If you take the… Read more »
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Tim says:
The thing i find funny is that in coming years the same people who are complaining about the mismanagement of this scheme are going to be the same people complaining about too much government regulation in the future. Read more »
You know things are going seriously awry when the party of the workers starts blaming the workers.

But that’s exactly what’s happening within the ALP over the insulation rollout debacle.
Ignoring proceedings in the Labor State of NSW where bosses can be tried for industrial manslaughter, federal Labor is saying that the minister responsible for the rollout should be exonerated from blame in the deaths of four insulation installers.
Continue reading "Kevin Rudd stars in the final scene from Animal Farm" »
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beautify says:
what is this about i don’t understand heheheh whaaa Read more »
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Timmo says:
Fog Badger, Hey you are there ol foggy. Well I took your advice you know on the paragraph issue, so there we are, I did read what you suggested and applied. Yeah!!! What winners we are over that one. You see I can take advice, that’s good. And good luck… Read more »
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