Government Halts Insulation RebatePeter Garrett MP announced on Friday 19 February 2010 to scrap the Home Insulation Rebate. The Home Insulation Rebate has been running since 1 July 09 and resulted in some 1 millions home insulated.
Under intense pressure from daily problems surfacing including home fires and 5 deaths and being heavily scrutinsed by the media and opposition the government was left with little choice but to stop the insulation rebate.
The rebate has been plagued from the start by unscrupulous installers hell bent on ripping of as much of the $2.7 billion dollars allocated program as they could, causing homes and householders to be put at risk in the process.
The government plans to replace the home insulation rebate with a new program called the Home Renewable Energy Bonus. This scheme will also allow insulation to be installed, subsidised by government.
Renewable Energy Bonus
Main differences with this new scheme over the old Insulation Rebate includes;
* Subsidy reduced to $1000 instead of $1200 under old program
* Payment will be made directly to installer and then reimbursed by the homeowner through Medicare
* All installers will have to reapply - obviously under stricter insulation experience requirements.
For insulation the new Renewable Energy Bonus - will not commence until 1 Jun 10, which the governments hopes is enough time to remove dodgy installers and tighten the guidelines for improved levels of
* Insulation Products
* Installers Experience
* Work Supervision
* Safety for home and workers
For homes fitted with Foil Insulation under the Insulation Rebate - are entitled to a free Electrical Safety Inspections
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