George Christensen (Dawson, National Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

asked the Minister for Climate Change and Energy Efficiency, in writing, on 12 September 2011:

How many (a) complaints from the electorates of Dawson and Capricornia were lodged regarding work carried out under the Home Insulation Program, by (i) postcode, and (ii) nature of complaint, and (b) follow-up inspections were carried out on homes that were the subject of these complaints, by postcode.

Greg Combet (Charlton, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Climate Change and Energy Efficiency) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The answer to the honourable member's question is as follows:

The Department of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency advises that 106 instances of contact have been received by the Department in a category including general inquiries, tip-offs for possible fraud, and requests for advice on program guidelines from the electorates of Dawson and Capricornia in regard to work carried out under the Home Insulation Program as at 30 September 2011. These contacts relate to 97 dwellings.

These figures are within the context of 17,128 installs of insulation in the electorates of Dawson and Capricornia under the Home Insulation Program.

The Department of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency advises that more specific information may have the potential to unjustly and adversely affect businesses in the local area, even if it is not business specific. As a result, it is not appropriate to release such information.

The Government offers inspections to all homes with foil installed under the HIP and provides householders with the option of having the insulation removed or on the advice of a Licensed Electrical Contractor, a safety switch installed.

The Government will continue to offer inspections to any householder that had insulation installed under the HIP and who has not previously had one, until 30 June 2012.

The Government has also committed to work with police and other relevant authorities in all jurisdictions to deal with cases of non-compliance and fraud in relation to the Home Insulation Program.