Mark Arbib (NSW, Australian Labor Party, Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for Government Service Delivery) Share this | Hansard source

As I have said consistently—and remember, this was a matter that was debated for almost a week of Senate proceedings—I was present at meetings where risks in the Home Insulation Program were discussed, but these again did not include electrocution or fire risk. It is also clear that the government recognised that occupational health and safety would need to be considered in the rollout of the program. Features like the OHS White Card were built into the system by design and the government took steps to ensure that industry developed the right training for workers under the program including training around safety. The best people to work up that package were the Construction and Property Services Industry Skills Council, the peak body for the industry. It is not the role of government to lecture the experts about what training is needed for workers in a particular industry. The skills council consulted widely with relevant industry organisations. (Time expired)