How Can He Sleep While Our Batts Are Burning?

aubergine · 13-02-2010, 02:40 AM

Peter Garrett has been notably under fire after deaths, fire and electrical hazards brought about by the home insulation subsidy he is responsible for. The Opposition say that Labor were warned 13 times about dangers of the scheme but did nothing, and that Garrett should be sacked.

I'm starting to tend to agree. When four people die due to oversight, you generally sack the minister responsible. It's an interesting story as more comes to light.

TAT · 13-02-2010, 03:11 AM

What's happening is that it's encouraged insulation installers to race eachother for jobs, even going as far as doorknocking for the honour.

They did my house about 3 weeks ago, and flat-out refused to remove the old insulation, piling it up in two particular corners of the roof. I'm going to get up there today some time to inspect what they did, and see if they covered our downlights properly (we only have 10, and they quoted that all 10 would be covered).

The other dodgy thing that has come out of this is the companies taking the rebate on your behalf. They quote the cost of the job as being exactly $1200 (or w/e the rebate is), then get the rebate for themselves - there is no transfer of money in your name at all.

What is being suggested is that you get your house independently evaluated so you don't get ripped off.

Having had mine done already, I don't really mind so much (and I've definitely noticed a temperature difference) but I guess we'll see in a few hours whether the company will be hearing from me or not.

TAT · 16-02-2010, 06:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TAT

They did my house about 3 weeks ago, and flat-out refused to remove the old insulation, piling it up in two particular corners of the roof. I'm going to get up there today some time to inspect what they did, and see if they covered our downlights properly (we only have 10, and they quoted that all 10 would be covered).

Well, they lied to me about this, funnily enough. While no downlight has been covered by insulation, these 'downlight covers' are suspiciously absent.

What they've done is fine, though, and it'd be more trouble to chase this up than leave it as is.

Lazlow · 13-02-2010, 03:13 AM

Garrett's a pawn in Labor's overall scheme to generate cash flow. I don't know the details of the scheme, I'm running under the assumption insulation installation is one of those tradie fields that require some sort of qualifications. Therefore people undertaking work they know they aren't qualified for probably should accept the consequences of their actions.

Also; they aren't installing Batts, they're using that Foil sheet shit. My old man works for Telstra and their general rule is if they have to go into a roof cavity that has that foil insulation, the property owner must turn the main power off.

I know the situation that occured in Milla Milla was due to the young man stapling the foil down through a power cable. Live electricity + Sweat + Big arse foil sheet = bad time.

TAT · 13-02-2010, 04:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lazlow

Also; they aren't installing Batts, they're using that Foil sheet shit.

I checked the work before they left.

Last I checked foil wasn't fluffy & pink...

Silverwolf · 13-02-2010, 05:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TAT

Last I checked foil wasn't fluffy & pink...

What do you mean, thats why they call it foil!!

castr8or · 13-02-2010, 04:31 AM

sounds like the the insulation industry needs greater OH/S regulations or somethign

TAT · 13-02-2010, 05:41 AM

Silverwolf · 13-02-2010, 06:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TAT

~~Blue~~ · 13-02-2010, 05:53 AM

This isn't Peter Garrett's fault. The opposition trying to place these deaths on his head is pretty disgraceful. Using them as ammunition is to be expected, I suppose, but to pretty much accuse him of manslaughter is rubbish.

I've never considered him to be a good minister, or politician, but he didn't make the error of judgement here.

13-02-2010, 02:40 AM	#1
aubergine gets imitated on UYAC Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Sunshine Coast Posts: 6,067	How Can He Sleep While Our Batts Are Burning? Peter Garrett has been notably under fire after deaths, fire and electrical hazards brought about by the home insulation subsidy he is responsible for. The Opposition say that Labor were warned 13 times about dangers of the scheme but did nothing, and that Garrett should be sacked. I'm starting to tend to agree. When four people die due to oversight, you generally sack the minister responsible. It's an interesting story as more comes to light. __________________ Videos Go Here.

13-02-2010, 03:13 AM	#4
Lazlow JerkChoices Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: **** Island Posts: 10,012	Garrett's a pawn in Labor's overall scheme to generate cash flow. I don't know the details of the scheme, I'm running under the assumption insulation installation is one of those tradie fields that require some sort of qualifications. Therefore people undertaking work they know they aren't qualified for probably should accept the consequences of their actions. Also; they aren't installing Batts, they're using that Foil sheet shit. My old man works for Telstra and their general rule is if they have to go into a roof cavity that has that foil insulation, the property owner must turn the main power off. I know the situation that occured in Milla Milla was due to the young man stapling the foil down through a power cable. Live electricity + Sweat + Big arse foil sheet = bad time. __________________ CHEAP PSVITA WIFI!! Last edited by Lazlow; 13-02-2010 at 03:16 AM.

13-02-2010, 04:31 AM	#7
castr8or Aero the Acrobat Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 592	sounds like the the insulation industry needs greater OH/S regulations or somethign __________________

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13-02-2010, 03:11 AM	#2
TAT http://uyac.com.au/ Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: UYAC Posts: 3,272	What's happening is that it's encouraged insulation installers to race eachother for jobs, even going as far as doorknocking for the honour. They did my house about 3 weeks ago, and flat-out refused to remove the old insulation, piling it up in two particular corners of the roof. I'm going to get up there today some time to inspect what they did, and see if they covered our downlights properly (we only have 10, and they quoted that all 10 would be covered). The other dodgy thing that has come out of this is the companies taking the rebate on your behalf. They quote the cost of the job as being exactly $1200 (or w/e the rebate is), then get the rebate for themselves - there is no transfer of money in your name at all. What is being suggested is that you get your house independently evaluated so you don't get ripped off. Having had mine done already, I don't really mind so much (and I've definitely noticed a temperature difference) but I guess we'll see in a few hours whether the company will be hearing from me or not.

13-02-2010, 05:41 AM	#8
TAT http://uyac.com.au/ Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: UYAC Posts: 3,272

13-02-2010, 05:53 AM	#10
~~Blue~~ B4nZ0r3d Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 2,003	This isn't Peter Garrett's fault. The opposition trying to place these deaths on his head is pretty disgraceful. Using them as ammunition is to be expected, I suppose, but to pretty much accuse him of manslaughter is rubbish. I've never considered him to be a good minister, or politician, but he didn't make the error of judgement here.