Nick Sherry (Tasmania, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Superannuation and Corporate Law) Share this | Hansard source

Senator, I am not sure whether you are aware that earlier we had a discussion or exchange with Senator Milne about the insulation issue. She raised a number of questions about the comprehensiveness of the approach and the need for energy audits. She made the fair and reasonable point that ceiling batts are not the only solution and that there are other issues, such as minimising draughts, shades on windows and double glazing. We have had a debate about curtains. You have raised a very legitimate issue about wall insulation.

As I indicated, in this package the government is doing something that is very substantial with the ceiling batt issue. We cannot do everything; we cannot cover off every area of insulation of a home. We think, and we are advised, that ceiling batts is the major area where improvement can be made. It does not mean that other improvements cannot be made in other areas. The package attempts to address the main but not the only issue relating to insulation.