JMCC

And here I was thinking the subject was Tony Abbott....

I'm wondering rather whether JMCC is in the right forum.

I have been discussing the media furore of vindictiveness towards Garrett and the Rudd Government that Abbott fanned up over the insulation program, about which Jennifer Wilson writes - as part of her questioning as to whether anyone can really take Abbott seriously.

A related issue, which spills over into another article by Jennifer Wilson, and which I have also touched on above, is Rudd's politics of contrition in response to the media furore fanned up by Abbott.

[Interesting to note that in my personal experience over a relatively long life, I have found vindictiveness to be a particular trait of those who share Abbott's religious faith and who by virtue of this one fact, tend to be the kind of marriage partners and work colleagues that I have learned to avoid. My personal view is that vindictiveness and finger pointing are destructive and entirely unhelpful traits in all walks of life, including in politics.]

The argument that because the deaths were as a result of shonky operators the government bears no responsibility is disingenuous.

The government should have forseen that dodgy businesses would move straight in. What else do you expect when the government is throwing billions around at a small industry?

Furthermore, the government was warned on many occasions that there were safety concerns, yet Minister Garrett did nothing.

Of course, the whole insulation scheme was a mistake from the beginning. It was a cynical attempt to get the votes of greenies and tradies simultaneously. Anyone who doubts that the stimulus was at the heart of Rudd's reelection strategy does not understand how scheming and cunning politicians are, particularly the PM.

AJFA

Politely suggest you start topic on Rudd, Garrett and the insulation fiasco.

Unless you are drawing all your posts towards a brilliant summation of Tony Abbott, I (and others) think you are on the wrong thread.

I made an incorrect reference. I meant to refer to AJFA not JMCC. Apologies to JMCC!

There is a tenuous link to the article in what AJFA says. By pointing the finger at the government there might just be a slim chance that some who read AJFAs comments might come to see Abbott as wearing a halo, instead of hilarious clown-suit I see; although I doubt it.

The insulation scheme was a bold and inspired move that helped Australia endure the Global Financial Crisis more successfully than any other country.

It is tragic that this program was chopped and is to be watered down. It was doing a lot of good, which has been lost in the media debate. Being a new and untried program it would be foolhardy to expect no problems.

If only it were so easy to get government programs "right" first go. It is so easy for those in the Opposition to sling mud; much harder for them to come up with constructive alternatives.

This gets back to the point I was making earlier, about the vindictiveness and finger pointing Abbott engages in being destructive and unhelpful. Tony's halo has come at a high cost, in this case to the whole country. Is this the sort of leader Australia needs?

Wal,

Your defence of the scheme does make it obvious that you are a supporter of the government.

However, four deaths and nearly 90 house fires is not acceptable, no matter how much you try and avoid this fact.

Furthermore, your claim that the programme was highly beneficial is contradicted by Henry Ergas, who concluded that "The result is some improvement in comfort, but a negative return on investment".

You should read the full article: http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/opinion/energy-efficientbenefit-deficient/story-e6frg6zo-1225834522960

Your claim that Abbott is putting his own interests above those of the country by attacking the insulation scheme is also ill-founded. A democratic society benefits from having criticisms of poorly implemented government schemes, even if it upsets supporters of those governments such as yourself.