Royal Commission into the Home Insulation Program
| Deaths | Four males (aged 16 to 25 years) |
|---|---|
| Non-fatal injuries | Significant Third degree burns; and several "near misses" as a result of using staple guns while mains electricity remained on |
| Property damage | Ninety-four house fires related to insulation; and allegations of fraud. |
| Inquiries | Royal Commission into the Home Insulation Program |
| Commissioner | Ian Hanger, AM QC |
| Inquiry period | 12 December 2013 – 1 September 2014 |
| Constituting instrument | Royal Commissions Act 1902 (Cth) |
| Website | homeinsulationroyalcommission |
The Royal Commission into the Home Insulation Program was a Royal Commission established by the Australian government pursuant to the Royal Commissions Act 1902 (Cth) to inquire into the matters that may have arisen from the development and implementation of the Australian government's Home Insulation Program. The establishment of the commission followed the death of four workers (aged from 16 to 25 years) who died in separate incidents that may have been attributed to the failure to identify and manage the workplace health and safety and other risks associated with the implementation and management of the Program. The Royal Commission inquired into and reported on the deaths, serious injuries and impacts on longstanding home insulation businesses alleged to have arisen from the Program.
The Royal Commission commenced on 12 December 2013 and was overseen by a sole Royal Commissioner, Ian Hanger, AM QC, a barrister. The Commissioner was asked to submit his report to the Governor-General by 30 June 2014. The report was tabled to parliament on 1 September 2014.
A measure, known as the "Energy Efficient Homes Package", was announced by Prime Minister Kevin Rudd on 3 February 2009. A component of that Package was the "Homeowner Insulation Program", which was replaced on 1 July 2009 by the "Home Insulation Program" (both of which form the Program). The Home Insulation Program was administered by the Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts. The Package and Program were established in the context of the First Rudd Government's use of expansionary fiscal policies at their discretion to counter the effects of the financial crisis of 2007–2008. The Energy Efficient Homes Package was a part of the A$42 billion Nation Building – Economic Stimulus Plan.
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