🚀 go-pugleaf

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/02/24/2829273.htm?site=news

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has set aside $41 million to help 6,000 workers who 
have lost their jobs because of his decision to axe the home insulation scheme.

A small group of insulation company owners and workers gathered outside 
Parliament House this morning and Mr Rudd and Opposition Leader Tony Abbott came 
out to hear their concerns.

"I had installers on my floor on Friday afternoon in tears," one woman told the 
Prime Minister.

"Big tough guys sitting on the floor saying, 'what are we going to do?'

"I want to be able to go home and say, 'you guys have got a job'."

Mr Rudd responded: "We get it. I get it. We've taken a decision as a government 
which directly affects your businesses and your workers."

Later, after two days of hassling Environment Minister Peter Garrett in Question 
Time, the Opposition left him alone and concentrated instead on Mr Rudd.

They focussed on the plight of insulation firms that have had to retrench 
workers because the scheme has been scrapped.

Mr Abbott again tried unsuccessfully to censure Mr Rudd, this time "for failing 
to abide by the doctrine of ministerial responsibility that is a bedrock of our 
Westminster system".

Assistance plan

Mr Rudd responded to the Opposition's attacks by revealing a $41 million plan to 
help businesses keep staff until the new scheme starts in June, or to help 
workers find new jobs or training.

He appears to accept the Insulation Council of Australia and New Zealand's 
forecast that scrapping the scheme will cost 6,000 jobs.

"The Government will not walk away from its responsibilities to the workers of 
Australia," he said.

"Many of these people are good, honest workers whose jobs have been disrupted 
because of a small number of shonky operators."

The money is in the form of a worker adjustment package.

"Each worker [can] receive support to retain their current job through the 
transition phase, before the new renewable energy bonus program begins," Mr Rudd 
said.

"This support will be provided either through assistance to businesses to retain 
workers through the transition phase in either work or training.

"In addition, the Government will assist displaced insulation workers to find 
alternative jobs with other employers and other industries.

"Where appropriate employment opportunities are not available, the Government 
will ensure that a relevant training place is available to displaced insulation 
workers, to help those workers transition to more permanent employment in the 
future, given that the home insulation program was designed as a temporary program."

Mr Rudd said he would consider allowing reputable companies to resume 
government-subsidised work before the official start of a new scheme in June.

But Mr Abbott was sceptical about the Prime Minister's offer of help.

"This is a government in panic. It's making it up as it goes," he said.

Compensation claims

Earlier, Opposition treasury spokesman Joe Hockey said the botched insulation 
scheme had left the Government open to "massive compensation" claims that could 
cost it up to $1 billion.

But Mr Hockey would not confirm whether the Coalition would scrap the scheme's 
replacement, due to start in June, if it comes into government.

The Coalition is demanding Mr Garrett resign over the program, which has been 
linked to four deaths and 93 house fires.

The Government is also being forced to audit homes across the country to check 
there is no fire or electrocution risk.

Mr Hockey said the scrapped scheme was a "huge opportunity" for a class action.

"If you're living in a home with your family and you have had pink batts 
installed at the hand of the Government and there is a risk, even a remote risk 
that your home could be a death trap, surely you would want to have them 
removed?" he said.

"The opportunity for massive compensation claims against the Government are 
significant."

-- 
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