THE HON MARK DREYFUS QC MP SHADOW ATTORNEY-GENERAL SHADOW MINISTER FOR THE ARTS MEMBER OF ISAACS BRENDAN OCONNOR

MP SHADOW MINISTER FOR EMPLOYMENT & WORKPLACE RELATIONS MEMBER FOR GORTON JOINT STATEMENT
ROYAL COMMISSION MUST BE FOCUSED ON IMPROVING WORKPLACE SAFETY
The Federal Opposition has written to the Attorney-General requesting that the Terms of Reference released late yesterday relating to the Royal Commission into the Home Insulation Program be broadened. The Opposition believes the deaths of the four young Australians while installing home insulation in 2009 and 2010 were tragic, as all workplace deaths are. In Australia last year, 212 workers died in workplace incidents, and that is 212 too many. It is with this tragic fact in mind that the Opposition has sought to ensure the Royal Commission be conducted for the purpose of improving workplace safety in this country. The Home Insulation Program has previously been the subject of numerous independent investigations and reports. The reports of those investigations were publicly released by the Labor government, and their recommendations acted upon. These inquiries found that the industry is the subject of only limited regulation by State and Territory building codes.

The tragic deaths were also the subject of coronial inquests in New South Wales and Queensland, as well as criminal prosecutions in three of the four cases. The Opposition would expect the Royal Commission to investigate issues related to the regulation of the home insulation industry with the objective of making recommendations on the improvement of safety practices. To ensure the Royal Commission produces real benefits to Australians it is important that the Terms of Reference be broadened to require the investigation of systemic issues relating to the industry. Shadow Attorney General Mark Dreyfus QC has written to the Attorney General (letter attached) to request the following terms be included in the Royal Commissions Terms of Reference: The adequacy of State and Territory laws covering participation in the home insulation industry; Provisions of State and Territory building codes relevant to the home insulation industry; Product standards applying to home insulation; and The efficacy of workplace safety regulation and enforcement.

The Opposition has also asked a second Commissioner, with specific workplace safety experience, be appointed to assist Mr Ian Hanger AM QC. Labor firmly believes the objective of the Royal Commission into the Home Insulation Program should be to improve workplace safety. FRIDAY, 13 DECEMBER 2013 MEDIA CONTACT: KIMBERLEY GARDINER 0427 230 685