The Government is today announcing its response to the Home Insulation Program Royal Commission to address the failings of the previous government.
The Home Insulation Program ran from 2009 to 2010. It resulted in the tragic loss of four young men, damage to many existing businesses and houses destroyed by fire.
In December 2013 the Abbott Coalition Government established the Royal Commission into the Home Insulation Program led by Mr Ian Hanger AM QC.
The Royal Commission provided its report to Government in August this year. On 30 September 2014, the Prime Minister announced the Government’s interim response to the report.
Since the Prime Minister’s announcement, I have been working with the Ministers for Industry, Employment, Finance, the Attorney-General and the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Industry to address the six areas in which the Australian Government committed to take action.
Payments for the families of the deceased installers
The process of compensating the four families who tragically lost a loved one is underway. Given his familiarity with the families and intimate understanding of the issues, Mr Ian Hanger AM QC is currently assisting the Government to determine the amount of discretionary payments. Subject to final agreement with the families I expect that the compensation process will be completed in early in 2015.
Payments for pre-existing insulation businesses adversely affected by the HIP
The Government committed to providing payments to pre-existing businesses adversely affected by the HIP. The Government has commenced a process for determining and making discretionary payments to eligible pre-existing insulation businesses. This involves:
• an independent, transparent, equitable and evidence-based process for the assessment of business losses and the making of payments;
• robust arrangements to verify claims; and
• Mr Ian Hanger AM QC is advising on the principles, design and implementation of the payment process and will act as a mediator for the payment process.
The process is expected to be completed, including payments made, by the middle of 2015.
Improving Safety for workers in roof spaces
The Government is committed to ensuring Australian workers remain safe and that the tragedies that occurred during the HIP do not occur again. Through COAG the Commonwealth is seeking to achieve a harmonised approach to roof space safety across all States and Territories.
In his former capacity, Parliamentary Secretary Bob Baldwin worked closely with State and Territory ministers drawing on the recommendations made in the Royal Commission Report to ensure that the dangers that became apparent during the Home Insulation Program are addressed properly, through appropriate and effective regulation and better awareness of roof space safety for building industry workers, the do-it-yourself market and householders.
Further announcements on the detail of these proposals will be made once they have been agreed. I have asked Mr Baldwin to continue to assist in this area.
Ensuring Commonwealth programmes minimise work health and safety risks
The Australian Government is committed to ensuring that its programmes minimise work health and safety risks. With this in mind, we will work with representatives of the States and Territories, employers and workers through Safe Work Australia on the best ways to integrate work health and safety in the design of government programmes. I have asked Mr Baldwin to work with Senator Abetz in progressing this important agenda.
Improving Government processes
The Royal Commission Report made clear many areas in which the Australian Government and the Public Service can improve and avoid similar situations arising in the future. The Prime Minister appointed Professor Peter Shergold AC, the former Secretary of the Department of the Prime Minister & Cabinet and a strong advocate of effective public policy implementation, leading an independent review of Government processes for the development and implementation of large public programmes and projects, including the roles of Ministers and public servants. Professor Shergold will be assisted by the Australian Public Service Commission.
This review will be completed by mid-2015.
Addressing Public Service Code of Conduct matters
The Australian Public Service Commission has started a general review, based on the findings of the Home Insulation Program Royal Commission Report, of the roles and responsibilities of individual public servants during the Home Insulation Program, with regard to the governance and accountability arrangements. This review is expected to conclude by February 2015.
The Government will make further announcements about specific elements of the response in coming months.
(ENDS)