Senator BIRMINGHAM (9:51 AM) —I, and also on behalf of Senator Barnett, move:

   That the following matters be referred to the Environment, Communications and the Arts References Committee for inquiry and report by 30 March 2010:

(a)   the Federal Government’s Energy Efficient Homes Package (ceiling insulation), with particular reference to:

(i)   the administration of the program from a pricing, probity and efficiency perspective, including:

(a)   the basis on which the Government determined the size of the rebate for ceiling insulation,

(b)   regulation of quoting and installation practices,

(c)   protection against rorting and abuse of the rebate,

(d)   the impact of the program in pushing up insulation prices,

(e)   ensuring value for money for taxpayers,

(f)   waste, inefficiency and mismanagement within the program, and

(g)   ensuring the program achieves its stated aims as part of the Government’s stimulus package,

(ii)   an examination of what advice was provided to the Government on safety matters, particularly in relation to fire and electrocution risks and to what degree the Government acted on this advice,

(iii)   an examination of what advice was provided to the Government on occupational health and safety matters, particularly in relation to training for installers, including:

(a)   to what degree the Government acted on this advice, and

(b)   identification and examination of fires and electrical incidents resulting from the Government’s Home Insulation Program, and

(iv)   an analysis of the effectiveness of the package as a means to improve the efficiency of homes and reduce emissions of greenhouse gases, including comparison with alternative policy measures;

(b)   consideration of measures to reduce or eliminate waste and mismanagement, and to ensure value for money for the remainder of the program, noting the planned $2.7 billion to be distributed under the program in total; and

(c)   other related matters.