Media Release

Shire residents warned of foil insulation dangers

Friday 12th February 2010

Local Federal Member for Cook, Scott Morrison today urged Shire residents who have had foil insulation installed as part of the Federal Government’s Home Insulation Program to arrange a safety inspection as soon as possible after it was revealed their homes could have become electrified.

“Shire residents who have had foil insulation fitted to their homes under the scheme should contact a licensed electrician to conduct a safety inspection and where necessary fix the problem. Do not check the insulation yourself,” Mr Morrison said.

“The government will also write to affected homes with details of their own inspection scheme and a hotline number has also been set up to find out more. It can be reached by calling 131 792.

“Tragically four people have died installing the insulation under the Rudd Government’s program, a program which has been astonishingly mismanaged by Environment Minister Peter Garrett from day one.

“Minister Garrett ignored 13 separate warnings and waited for almost 12 months to acknowledge the electrical and fire risk facing homeowners and installers with foil insulation despite warnings from electricians.

“The National Electrical and Communications Association wrote to him in March last year and warned, that while thermal insulation in ceilings is a relatively inexpensive way of reducing energy consumption in residential premises, ‘…there are inherent dangers when installed inappropriately near electrical equipment and cables.’

“It has also been revealed that his department was warned by state officials last April that the program of pink batt and aluminium foil installation was going to take place in an unregulated way that would be a risk to property and to life. Alarmingly, there is no evidence that any serious action was taken despite the gravity of this warning.

“The pattern of denial from Minister Garrett over this clear risk to Shire homeowners is staggering and points to a clear incompetence in the management of his portfolio.

“This is a Minister who has been responsible for a program that when put into action has seen people die. It is a gross failure of responsibility and he should be held to account.

“Bungling has become typical of the Rudd Government as a result of its reckless debt fuelled spending sprees which have now resulted in a program that has not just been incompetent, but deadly,” Mr Morrison said.

***Federal Government insulation hotline 131 792***