The Government welcomes the Final Report of the Royal Commission into the Home Insulation Programme which has been received by the Governor-General from the Royal Commissioner, Mr Ian Hanger AM QC.
The tabling of this report delivers on the Government’s election commitment to properly investigate this policy disaster and provide the victims’ families with the answers they deserve.
Four young men lost their lives as a consequence of this bungled programme.
As well, homes were damaged or destroyed and businesses badly affected.
I hope this report brings some comfort to everyone affected.
The report’s findings are grave and its recommendations are detailed.
It details a litany of failures arising from a dysfunctional culture in the former administration.
The Government will carefully consider the findings and recommendations of this report, which is a timely reminder of what can happen if Government acts with undue haste.
We will provide a preliminary response by the end of the month, with a final response delivered by the end of this year.
The Government’s response will focus on ensuring such a catastrophic policy failure never happens again.
I thank the Royal Commissioner and his staff for their work.
I particularly thank the victims’ families who shared their anguish with the Commission.
An electronic copy of the Report is available at the Royal Commission website - http://www.homeinsulationroyalcommission.gov.au
1 September 2014