Rudd's Insulation Army rebates rejected
A CAIRNS insulation installer which has been advertising rebates under the Home Insulation Program has had its registration rejected by the Federal Government.
Rudd’s Insulation Army, which has an office at Smithfield, recently applied for registration through the Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and Arts.
A department spokesman confirmed Rudd’s Insulation Army attempted to register with the program in December, but was unsuccessful.
"They have therefore never been able to lodge a claim under the program," he said.
"Members of the public should be aware that as Rudd’s Insulation Army is not a registered installer, it cannot claim the rebate for the installation of insulation under the Home Insulation Program."
The spokesman said Rudd’s Army’s registration had been denied as it had failed to comply with terms of conditions of the program guidelines.
Yesterday, the company was still advertising rebates at its website, declaring "the Government pays the $1200 subsidy directly to us".
A former employee told The Cairns Post the company had been using batts smelling of toxic chemical formaldehyde, which had been sourced from China.
Concerns have been raised over the installation of imported batts reeking of the chemical.
A Senate inquiry was told this week about one million homes had taken advantage of the insulation program in the past 10 months. However, a study of insulation being used showed 30 to 40 per cent was non-compliant.
Polyester Insulation Manufacturers Association of Australia representative Tino Zuzul told the Energy Efficient Home Packages Inquiry in Melbourne home-owners were drawn to the program because it was effectively free and overseas suppliers had flooded the market with inferior products.
Mr Zuzul said he tested 20 products and all of them failed to meet expected standards.
Only two products from the US achieved the R-rating needed to comply with legislation, he said.
Environment Minister Peter Garrett was made aware of the issue through his department as early as February 3, he said.
His department was briefed on that day and Mr Garrett was personally told of the industry's concern on January 28.
But the Government told them they weren't going to start policing the issue and it should be up to individual homeowners to make sure their insulation had been installed to code, he said.
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