Tony Abbott (Warringah, Liberal Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

For the information of members, I present the report of the Royal Commission into the Home Insulation Program. I ask leave of the House to make a short statement in connection with the report.

Leave granted.

The government welcomes the final report of the Royal Commission into the Home Insulation Program, which has been received by the Governor-General from the Royal Commissioner, Mr Ian Hanger 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 program; as well, homes were damaged or destroyed and businesses suffered. I hope that 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. So the government will carefully consider the findings and the recommendations of this report, which is a timely reminder of what can happen if government acts with undue haste. The government will provide a preliminary response by the end of the month, with a final response delivered by the end of the year. The government's response will focus on ensuring that 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.