Home insulation inquiry finds former environment minister Peter Garrett at fault RENEE VIELLARIS THE COURIER-MAIL AUGUST 30, 2014 FORMER environment minister Peter Garrett has been found to be at fault by the royal commission probing the deadly home insulation program. The commission’s findings, which are yet to be released publicly, are also expected to make adverse findings against other politicians and public servants. Mr Garrett has copped adverse findings because he, as minister, was ultimately responsible for the maladministration of the $2.7 billion scheme, it is understood. The commission provided Mr Garrett a copy of its adverse findings and an opportunity to respond. It could now formally consign him to history books as a former rock-star-turned-political pariah who quit office. The findings have no legal bearing but will harm his reputation. It is understood Mr Garrett vigorously responded to the commission’s initial report to him. The Abbott Government, which set up the $20 million probe, will table the commission’s report next week. Mr Garrett, who had planned to be in Australia for the handing down of the report, is in Europe. A spokeswoman for him yesterday refused to comment. Former prime minister Kevin Rudd and former parliamentary secretary Mark Arbib refused to comment. When Mr Arbib was asked about whether he had any adverse findings against him he said: “Talk to my lawyer’’. The Abbott Government, which set up the $20 million probe, will table the commission’s re The Abbott Government, which set up the $20 million probe, will table the commission’s report next week. When his lawyer was asked he said he could not comment because he had no instructions from his client. Former climate change minister Greg Combet did not return calls. He is not expected to face criticism from the commission. It is understood the report questions how truthful some witnesses were. It is believed some of those witnesses include politicians – but not Mr Garrett – and public servants. It comes as Commissioner Ian Hanger, QC, has raised the prospect of failed businesses – which believed they had a form of contractual agreement with the Commonwealth – securing compensation. Lawyers for the Commonwealth have argued against the measure, saying businesses who feel they have a case should use the courts and sue. Ultimately it will be a decision for Prime Minister Tony Abbott, who is yet to decide whether the Government will cough-up ex-gratia payments to the grieving families of Matthew Fuller, Rueben Barnes, Marcus Wilson and Mitchell Sweeney. The Sweeney family asked the former Labor government for an ex-gratia payment of $300,000. The families have urged the Government for a swift response. It comes as Brisbane-based firm Knauf Insulation is suing the Commonwealth in NSW for damages. A statement of claim, obtained by The Courier-Mail, reveals Knauf suffered significant financial loss due to the then-government’s decision to suddenly shut down the insulation program. THE father of the youngest Queenslander killed in the home insulation scheme hopes the commission’s findings will provide the answers he’s been looking for since November 2009. Rueben Barnes, 16, was electrocuted in a Rockhampton roof five years ago during his third week as an insulation installer. He had received no training. Solicitor Bill Potts spoke on behalf of Rueben’s father Murray Barnes yesterday, saying his client hoped the recommendations would ensure another child was not killed. “He hopes the royal commission will make findings with respect to the decision-making process, the way in which it was rushed and botched. And he hopes all future governments have both the wit and the wisdom to change their ways so that other families will not suffer the tragedy that he’s suffered,” Mr Potts said. He said Mr Barnes was “deeply unimpressed” with the evidence former prime minister Kevin Rudd gave at the inquiry. “He felt (Mr Rudd) was prepared to express sorrow but not prepared to accept either blame.” The family of Matthew Fuller, 25, who died at a house in Brisbane’s south a month before Rueben, urged the Federal Government to release the findings as early as possible Rose Brennan Peter Garrett after giving evidence at the insulation inquiry.
Posted on: Fri, 29 Aug 2014 23:18:15 +0000
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