What does it take to take note of advice about insulation.

Well from the outlook it was about policy,policy and spending money.
In the end it is about 3 people dying from electrocution and one from heat.

The advise and warning given but Garrett ignored these.

This is a safety issue what is going on, when governments say its not our fault.

We just ignored the evidence.

What's even more ridiculous is the focus Garrett has got on this when OBVIOUSLY most of the blame lands squarely at the feet of workcover, state governments, and the employers. Garrett should cop the least amount, for sure he some some, but of course it's more fun from the RETARDED media to latch on to the rib poking as opposed to getting to the guts of the problem. Kudos to you for being sucked in.

Sorry, turns you and me commented on this initially, but first in best dressed and all that.

Here's my original point:

I'm REALLY starting to get my back up about this. Yes, Garrett didn't do all he should've but let's get this into perspective here. Insulation Installers are subject to state OH&S and building regulations land squarely at the feet of the state governments.

Installers terms and conditions:

http://www.bsa.qld.gov.au/SiteCollectionDocuments/Generic/Fact%20Sheets/installer-terms.pdf

"n) comply with the Program guidelines (as updated from time to time) and all relevant Commonwealth, State, Territory and local government laws and regulations;"

Obviously there were failures there. ESPECIALLY in regards to state work cover requirements as employers.

Competencies Requirements:

http://www.environment.gov.au/energyefficiency/insulation/installers/register/pubs/installer-competencies.pdf

"Completion of the construction induction training (one day course) applicable in their State or Territory of residency resulting in the award of the Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) induction card. Installers should retain the OHS induction card from completing this training."

Etc etc...

How about the media go after the REAL people responsible...?

I was talking about Garrett with my brother and, in particular, his interview with Kerry O'Brien on the 7.30 Report.

We agreed that it wasn't Garrett's responsibility to micromanage the installers, but that it was obvious he was dancing around Kerry's very robust attempts at getting him to answer the question of whether or not he (Garrett) knew before the roll-out that there wouldn't be enough inspectors on the ground to police the regulations. In other words, was rolling out the insulation program reckless and ill-thought through. Garrett's non-answer of this question, I suspect, says it all.

Should he get the sack? Not sure, but I've got my doubts as to his administrative competence.

"How about the media go after the REAL people responsible...?"

It is a bit more complicated than that. This is just par for the course in a country where, with respect to the few good builders out there, house construction is generally of a very poor quality and short-cutting is rife.

There is no compulsion to meet the Building Code, Australian Standards or the recommended installation of manufacturers. As far as government is concerned, the individual home owner can look out himself and this is despite the knowledge that a home owner is in a very vulnerable position. On top of that, the selling of such assets as energy distribution and cut-backs in client service have resulted in the withdrawal of valuable services such as the free routine inspection of new electrical wiring.

So why wouldn't government confidently expect big problems for home owners where it threw open its coffers for the 'entrepreneurs' of the building industry? Maybe it is because Canberra is so cocooned and remote from the remainder of Australia that its bureaucrats couldn't see the writing on the wall.

Government damage control via restriction of information and spin has ensured that the media is concentrating on metal staples puncturing electrical wiring, but there are other serious problems, examples being the creation of fire hazards through not shielding 12V downlights (esp. with polyester insulation) and future health problems through not sealing ceilings before adding insulation.

The problems being found with the installation of insulation should be red flags for any competent regulator to review the home construction industry. However that is not likely to happen, no Siree, not when it will stir up the hornets' nest with the HIA and other biggies.

Such reluctance of government to act on behalf of ordinary citizens to improve building construction is how all of these shoddy practices got a foothold in the first place. Quick, plaster over the gaps, another election is within sight.

What suprises me is that Garrett was warned about the problems but disregarded then, from unions and electrical groups.

Now if a employer did this OHS, and the unions would be going for their heads but in this case Garrett has the backing off the labor saying he did the right thing.

$ deaths and 86 home burnt down so far, and if i was one of those families it doesnt sound like the right thing.

Where is Combet, the fighter of workers but he is in hiding as he knows Garrett and Rudd are wrong.

Hurry up for election time