What do you expect when Garrett, who from his concert days looks like a third rate spiderman impersonator, is left dribbling over the reigns of state?

I know some folk who, encouraged by “government plans”, invested their pension funds heavily and have been now been left with a nasty bank debt, unused factory (for processing insulation material) and a freshly unemployed work force.

Such are the consequences of relying what a collectivist government said.

Personally I would not trust a Rudd government official to know what was happening later this hour any more than I would a Greek government official. They are cut from the same cloth and it has never had a nice patter

At least the insulation program is getting Australia noticed internationally. Mark Steyn wrote this in an article:

"Still, at least nobody’s dead. In Australia, the Labor government, eager to flaunt its green credentials, instituted a nationwide environmentally-friendly roof-insulation program, using energy-efficient foil insulation. It certainly reduces the carbon footprint of many Aussies’ homes: At the time of writing, 172 of them have burned down. It reduces your personal carbon footprint, too: Four installers of the foil have been fatally electrocuted. As the Sydney Daily Telegraph’s Tim Blair noted, the foil-insulation program has a higher fatality rate than Oz forces in Afghanistan. And, if the electrician survives long enough to get the installation completed, the good news is that, unlike the electric Zamboni, the electric attic always has plenty of juice: Colin Brierley had the foil insulation put into his Gold Coast home and was electrocuted a week later. The environmentally friendly electric shock entered through his knees, exited from his head, and led to a nice stay in hospital in an induced coma.

Australians are not happy to discover their ceilings double as the Bride of Frankenstein’s recharge slab. Belatedly canceling the program, Peter Garrett, the Environment Minister, is nevertheless insistent that he bears no responsibility for the burnt-out rubble and charred citizenry. He is a celebrity politician, formerly the lead singer of the rock band Midnight Oil, but he has no intention of getting burned by what they’re calling “Midnight Foil”. As Australia’s Deputy Prime Minister, Julia Gillard, breezily told a TV interviewer, “Peter Garrett can’t be in every roof in this country as insulation is being installed.” "

The government is in the same position as a builder who subcontracts
a job to a carpenter etc etc.
The builder is ultimately responsible especially as they were
officially warned of the problem before the program commenced.

I have heard that the rate of fires is a bit less than one a day.
They could very quickly eliminate a lot of the batt installations
by checking how many of the houses have in ceiling down lights.
There could be other problems with transformers used for burglar
alarms or similar purposes that may be in the ceiling.
Another risk is bathroom infra red heating lamps and ventilation fans.
However 100% of the one million houses have to be inspected no matter
what the situation.

I just don't see how it can be avoided.

The safety record of the insulation industry was already unacceptable
before the scheme, and this is where the Govt erred.

The Gov't has accepted responsibility and ultimately decided to end the scheme
realising that it was unrealistic to expect some industry participants to change their behaviour
and act ethically and/or in the public interest.

The Govt did protect the people from the wolves in the only way they could.

I too accept the Gov'ts responsibility, but do not believe it primarily or ultimately responsible.
Crooks seem to flourish in our society today and I would still like
to see these people prosecuted. I would also like to see the Govt govern.

I note that no one has yet responded to my others points, or my plea
that the Opposition show us it's policy's. and no one has acknowledged
the blocking,frustrating and obstructionist tactics of the Opposition
ruling in exile from the Senate, even though it is absolutely accurate.

I thought Peter Garrett was an iconic performer (by the way) in Midnight Oil
and your Stern remarks show your jealousy for the achievements of others
when you make such unkind personal Jibes to make a point Stern.

Comparing the Gov'ts situation to that of a small business employing contractors
is also unfair purely because of scale. Like comparing Tasmania with the Solar System.

Also running a business is not the same thing at all, as being a Gov't is it?.
The thought processes are entirely different. And so they should be!.

Gov'ts could not act in the best interests of their constituents if they were
the same thing, but instead would have to act in the best interests of their masters.

Finally the International economic press has described the RSPT
as an elegant tax and a good idea for example.

As with all things there are 2 sides to every story mjbp and views other than
Mark Steyn's (whomever he is ?) do exist internationally.

And, where are you Shadow Minister?. Your conspicuous by your absence.

The Commonwealth provided a subsidy to homeowners to use their judgement to get roof insulation.

There were shonky people installing insulation before the scheme, and workers died before the scheme, and jobs were not done properly before the scheme came into being.

The government's error according to the Liberals seems to have been believing that adult Australians could use their judgement and take responsibility for their decisions when purchasing a product, whether it is subsidised or not.

On the logic of the "batts are burning" case , Tony Abbott was responsble for aged care , a subsidised and Comm onwealth regulated service , he is therefore guilty for the deaths of every old person while he was Minister.

What makes anyone think that the insulation risks only came into being at the time of the government's insulation grants?

Both sides of government have been complicit in turning a blind eye to the corner-cutting, shoddy work and other abuses that are rife in the building industry. There is no compulsion whatsoever for builders and tradespeople to comply with the Building Code, Australian Standards or manufacturers' installation recommendations.

The Labor government was foolish to go ahead with the insulation subsidy when any competent risk analysis would have advised against it for the reasons outlined above and the lack of trades.