From another chart you can see the effect the Solar Homes and Communities rebate has had - a hockey stick of explosive growth. It will be interesting to see the effect now that the Governments REC's scheme is well on the way but anecdotally, my Solar Installer say they are still extremely busy.
So I have great sympathy with Peter Garrett and the Insulation Rebate debate, particularly the problem exposed in the installation of Metal Foil, with subsequent deaths of contractors and hazards to home owners of incorrectly installed insulation. The overwhelming fault is with the dodgy, inexperienced installers but I think Minister Garrett did need to act faster to remove the Foil Insulation from being covered by the rebate.
My home was insulated from construction, but there were problems even then. The builders chose to use Fibre Fill instead of the specified Batts and the downlights were not kept separate from the fill, leading to a number of problems. This has now been sorted with products covering the downlights, reflecting the heat back into the house and separating the loose insulation from the hot lights.
Of course all this happened in the days before rebates and so far no-one has been killed (in my house at least). But who is responsible?? - the home owner, dodgy contractors, safety inspectors or Ministers making regulations and administering schemes??
At least Peter Garrett has his heart in the right place unlike the get rich quick, rip-u off merchants who always jump onto these bandwagons. So fair go - give the Minister a swipe but prosecute the installers!
(BTW: As I own most of Midnight Oils albums you can see where my bias lies!)
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