Concerns over Insulation Installers.

THE Rudd government has accused the opposition of deliberately undermining its roof insulation program by falsely claiming installers are rorting the scheme.

Last month, Nationals backbencher Paul Neville claimed a business in his Queensland electorate had reported 14 examples of "fraudulent and misleading practices" by unscrupulous operators.

But Environment Minister Peter Garrett told parliament the business in question had written to him explaining Mr Neville had "misrepresented" its view. Mr Garrett said the member for Hinkler had contacted AllSafe Energy Efficient Products "under the guise of requesting advice" on how to avoid less reputable contractors. AllSafe general manager David Jordan wrote that the company hadn't lodged 14 complaints regarding other installers of pink batts. "To be frank we believe that Mr Neville's comments in parliament were political point scoring.

"If anything we actually fear that his comments only serve to hamper your intended policy of stimulating the economy and employment." Mr Garrett said the incident was "very disappointing" and the company had actually put on an extra 12 staff as a result of Labor's policy. "They (the opposition) are undermining the most successful rollout of energy efficiency in our history," he told parliament. "They're undermining the thousands of jobs that go with the rollout of ceiling insulation and they're now undermining the good reputation of insulation businesses."

Homeowners can claim up to $1,600 to offset the cost of insulation under a $3.9 billion program unveiled in Labor's stimulus package earlier this year. In August, the opposition called for the auditor-general to conduct a full review.

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