Page 314 - Week 01 - Thursday, 11 February 2010
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video
hook-up with state and territory fair trading agencies in April 2009 to discuss the commonwealth’s home insulation program. Who from the ACT participated in the call and what was discussed?
MR CORBELL: I thank Mr Seselja for the question. Representatives of consumer affairs and the Office of Regulatory Services participated in that telephone hook-up which was convened at the request of the commonwealth department of environment. Representatives of the ACT Planning and Land Authority attended. In particular, the registrar of construction occupations attended and participated in that meeting.
Mrs Dunne: What was discussed?
MR CORBELL: What was discussed? Obviously I was not present at that telephone conference but it was called by the commonwealth department of environment to advise state and territory regulatory bodies of the rollout of the home insulation scheme, how the commonwealth proposed to roll that program out.
During that meeting, ACT and other state and territory officials raised a number of matters with the commonwealth and brought them to their attention, primarily matters relating to the need to ensure that the commonwealth advise consumers on what they needed to look out for in relation to who was providing insulation services under the scheme and how complaints from consumers could be dealt with. Secondly, concerns were raised about the possibility that any unsafe installation of insulation product could create safety problems. Those matters were also relayed to the commonwealth, given that they accredit installers under their scheme.
MR SPEAKER: Mr Seselja, a supplementary question?
MR SESELJA: Thank you, Mr Speaker. Attorney, is it true that, as reported, state and territory representatives warned that the way the federal government intended to roll out the program meant that it would effectively be unregulated and that it posed a risk to property and lives? Can you provide details to the Assembly?
MR CORBELL: No, I do not think that is true. The obvious point was made that any unsafe installation from unskilled labour in relation to insulation could have serious safety implications. In relation to what was conveyed by the ACT Planning and Land Authority, I would invite you to ask Mr Barr that; he is responsible for those matters. In relation to consumer affairs matters, the territory made clear that it was important that consumers were provided with information by the commonwealth, particularly through their website, about what avenues were available to them should they be unhappy with the level of service provided by installers.
MR SPEAKER: A supplementary question, Mr Smyth?
MR SMYTH: Thank you, Mr Speaker. Minister, what was discussed in regard to the ability of the states and territories to regulate the program and their responsibilities?
MR CORBELL: Well, this is a commonwealth program; it is paid for by the commonwealth; the commonwealth pays the installers and the commonwealth
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video