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Toxic batts claim ups pressure on Garrett

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/02/13/2818748.htm

The Opposition has ramped up calls for Peter Garrett to resign as Environment 
Minister, after he said he was warned imported insulation batts may contain 
dangerous levels of toxic chemicals.

Mr Garrett has been under fire in Parliament all week over the safety of the 
Federal Government's insulation program, with the Opposition saying he 
repeatedly ignored safety warnings about problems that led to the deaths of four 
insulation installers.

Now Mr Garrett has confirmed that an industry leader warned him cheap imported 
insulation reeked of formaldehyde and could generate toxic fumes when heated.

Warrick Batt says says he has had several meetings with Mr Garrett over the last 
six months and also raised concerns about whether the batts were being installed 
to Australian standards.

Mr Garrett says he has not seen any proof to back up claims that dangerous 
levels of chemicals were present in the insulation batts.

"We know that formaldehyde is used as a binding agent, but all batts have to 
conform to Australian standards and if products that conform to those standards 
and have the appropriate warnings then they're acceptable to go into ceilings," 
he said.

Opposition Environment spokesman Greg Hunt says he should be sacked.

"It's about standing up for the Australian people on the basis of safety," he said.

Mr Hunt says it should not be left to the insulation industry to produce the proof.

"Mr Garrett's program created the problem, created the need for importing 
Chinese batts and we know that there are potentially deadly Chinese batts," he said.

"Of course the Government should oversee its program.

"To blame the industry, to blame the installers and not to take responsibility 
is simple negligence and the Minister now, surely, must go."

Opposition leader Tony Abbott says the matter calls into question Prime Minister 
Kevin Rudd's competency.

"Someone has to take responsibility for the very, very serious maladministration 
of this program," he said.

"But every day Mr Rudd protects this incompetent Minister, his own Prime 
Ministership is called more into question."

Mr Garrett says he has Prime Minister Kevin Rudd's full support.

-- 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ipvdBnU8F8
  - KRudd at his finest.

"The Labour Party is corrupt beyond redemption!"
  - Labour hasbeen Mark Latham in a moment of honest clarity.

"This is the recession we had to have!"
  - Paul Keating explaining why he gave Australia another Labour recession.

"Silly old bugger!"
  - Well known ACTU pisspot and sometime Labour prime minister Bob Hawke 
responding to a pensioner who dared ask for more.

"By 1990, no child will live in poverty"
  - Bob Hawke again, desperate to win another election.

"A billion trees ..."
  - Borke, pissed as a newt again.

"Well may we say 'God save the Queen' because nothing will save the governor 
general!"
  - Egotistical shithead and pompous fuckwit E.G. Whitlam whining about his 
appointee for Governor General John Kerr.

"SHUT THE FUCK UP YOU DUMB CUNT!"
  - FlangesBum on learning the truth about Labour's economic capabilities.

"I don't care what you fuckers think!"
  - KRudd the KRude Rat at his finest again.

"We'll just change it all when we get in."
  - Garrett the carrott