Garrett Grilled Over Insulation

Federal Opposition Leader Tony Abbott has again called for the resignation of Environment Minister Peter Garrett as part of a Coalition censure motion tabled during Question Time.

Mr Garrett was repeatedly questioned in Parliament over a risk assessment report that was handed to the Environment Department last April.

The Minter Ellison report highlights the possibility of house fires and shonky installation practices. Mr Garrett says he only read the report in full “last week”.

Mr Abbott says this is inconceivable. He says the revelation is more evidence the embattled Minister should be sacked.

Moving a censure motion against Mr Garrett, Mr Abbott said the Minister was in “electrocution denial”.

“This program was a slow-motion train wreck,” he said, adding that Mr Garrett was repeatedly warned by state governments and industry bodies that the program was risky.

Mr Abbott says Mr Garrett must explain why the warnings were not heeded.

The public servant in charge of the Environment Department apologised this morning for the deaths of installers working under the scheme.

Appearing at a Senate inquiry in Canberra, department secretary Robyn Kruk said she wanted to place on the record her recognition of the loss suffered by the affected families.

22 February 10

• 560 jobs to go at Westpac
• Pacific Highway Open but More Rain to Come
• $2m Grafton Airport Upgrade Critical
• Gas Firm Proposes Underground Salt Solution
• Nationals Hold Clarence
• Clarence Swing to ALP Forecasted for the By-election
• Call for More Casino Police
• Clarence Candidates Quizzed on Power Privatisation
• Nationals Release Coal-Seam Gas Blueprint
• North Coast Housing Industry Takes a Hit
• North Coast Jobless Rate Falls
• North Coast Jobless Rate Falls
• Ex-mayor wins Nationals' Preselection for Clarence
• NORBEC Helps Local Businesses
• North Coast Gas Firm Hints at Future Fracking
• North Coast Gas Firm Hints at Future Fracking
• Ballina Horse Dies from Hendra
• Push to Return Splendour to Northern Rivers
• More Police More Effectve on Speed
• Council Accused of Delaying Centre Expansion
• Lismore LEP Under Discussion
• Supermarket Vandalised Before Opening
• Ballina Bypass Opens
• Flood Risk Forum Meets
• Cost of Hospital Facelift Unknown
• Council Clamps Down on Illegal Campers
• Repairs to Lighthouse Road to Start
• Lismore Cafe in Wages Dispute
• Lyn Parche Appointed to Tourism NSW
• Cyclone May Open Banana Imports

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