18 June 2010

Release safety inspection figures or inspect the lot

Today, the peak industry body representing the electrical and communications industry, the National Electrical and Communications Association (NECA), called on the federal government to publicly release the details of 57,000 safety inspections on premises that received insulation under the Home Insulation Program (HIP).

NECA Chief Executive Officer, Mr James Tinslay, said he was concerned to hear reports that the government was not releasing the results of 57,000 safety inspections.

“The government should be releasing the results from the safety inspections so consumers and relevant industries, including the electrical industry, can continue to plan on how to manage the fall-out from the Home Insulation Program,” Mr Tinslay said.

“The results of the safety inspections are critical because we need to know how many installations were identified as being dangerous so an assessment based on those figures can be made on the possible number of other dangerous installations across Australia.”

James Tinslay said that there were over one million non-foil insulation installations of which the government has committed to inspecting at least 150 000.

“Without knowing the incidence of fire or electrical safety problems then it is not possible to determine how extensive the safety inspections need to be. I think consumers that received insulation under the HIP and the industry are entitled to know the results of the tax-payer funded safety inspections.”

NECA has advised the government that it would wait for the results of these safety inspections before recommending whether all premises or only a selection required further inspection.

“If the government is not going to release the results of the safety inspections how can consumers be satisfied that there isn’t a potential disaster hiding in their roofs,” Mr Tinslay said.

“If the figures are not going to be released as the safety inspections are carried out, then the government needs to make a commitment that it will release updated figures at timely intervals.

“Otherwise NECA will consider calling on the government to inspect every property that was insulated as part of the HIP,” Mr Tinslay said.

ENDS

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Dominic Feenan Media and Communications Manager 02 9439 8523 / 0457 767 328