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

I thank the good senator for the question. In my role as, firstly, the parliamentary secretary for our government’s service delivery but also as the then Minister for Employment Participation, I have done everything possible, as has Minister Garrett and as has his department, to ensure that adequate safety arrangements have been in place for the home insulation program. These issues of training were identified from day one. It was clear that it was necessary for adequate training to be put in place and the minister responsible made a number of decisions throughout the term of the program to ensure that adequate safety arrangements were in place. In terms of the question of when I was aware that training was going to be necessary, it was from day one, because it was clear to anybody involved that this sector had been completely unregulated and that training was required for those workers who were moving into the sector. Can I also say how saddened I was that the program was forced to shut. This will result in the loss of many jobs. While those on the other side of the chamber, the Liberal Party and National Party senators, can skite about the home insulation package, I do not and will do everything possible to stand by those workers who have lost their jobs to ensure they have training, to ensure they— (Time expired)