Page 680 - Week 02 - Wednesday, 24 February 2010
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Mr Seselja: Are you going to defend Peter Garrett?
MADAM ASSISTANT SPEAKER: Mr Seselja, please! Mr Corbell has the floor. Mr Corbell, please continue.
MR CORBELL: Thank you, Madam Assistant Speaker. We heard the pontificating from those opposite about how obvious it was that these problems are going to arise and the complete failure of the federal government to anticipate these matters. I am not going to comment in relation to the federal government. They can defend themselves, and they are doing so very well.
But if Mrs Dunne was such an expert on the dangers of poorly installed insulation and she knew about it, knew about it in the lead-up to the last election, did she say anything in the last six to nine months about it? Did she ask the question of the ACT government, “What do you do to make sure that these dangers are being alleviated”?
What did the Leader of the Opposition say? He obviously signed off on this great insulation policy that the Canberra Liberals had. He obviously was aware of the detailed risk assessment that Mrs Dunne had undertaken. Did he ask any questions about it? No is the answer to both of those questions.
We now have this extraordinary situation where it would appear that the new standard of ministerial responsibility that Mrs Dunne and Mr Seselja want to place on ministers in this place is to this effect: if a kid goes and plays with a box of matches and starts a fire, I am to be held responsible for that here in this place. That is the absurd level of accountability that this lazy, ineffective opposition are now seeking to impose in this place. What an absolute joke on their part. The bottom line is this—
Opposition members interjecting—
MR CORBELL: They do not like it, Madam Assistant Speaker. They can give it, but they cannot take it. It is as simple as that. The bottom line in relation to this issue is this: ACT regulatory authorities did their job. They did their job in the context of, firstly, the installation of insulation being an unregulated industry. There is no requirement to meet any standard, any compulsory or mandatory standard, when it comes to the installation of insulation. It is not a regulated or registered industry here in the ACT. The obligations on those installers are to meet their legal requirements in relation to work safety. And ACT regulatory authorities did their job.
I draw members’ attention to the fact that—I note Mr Rattenbury dismisses it because it is not convenient for his argument—the electrical regulator, the ACT Planning and Land Authority, issued community advice in February last year. It was sent out in the regular circulars that ACTPLA send to anyone registered for their industry zone and community zone publications. This is the regular community consultation newsletter from the ACT Planning and Land Authority. That magazine sent out a clear message. It sent out a clear message warning homeowners that they should ensure that anyone who installs loose fill or batt-type insulation in their home is fully aware that the fire safety of recess lights is not jeopardised.
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