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Home insulation program repayments total $400,000 plus Home insulation program repayments total $400,000 plus
(14 days later)
Almost half a million dollars had to be repaid to the Australian government from people who incorrectly claimed subsidies for Labor’s controversial home insulation scheme.Almost half a million dollars had to be repaid to the Australian government from people who incorrectly claimed subsidies for Labor’s controversial home insulation scheme.
Documents obtained by Guardian Australia through freedom of information laws show $453,100.62 was voluntarily repaid to the home insulation program (HIP) after being wrongly claimed in the seven months in which it operated before being shut down.Documents obtained by Guardian Australia through freedom of information laws show $453,100.62 was voluntarily repaid to the home insulation program (HIP) after being wrongly claimed in the seven months in which it operated before being shut down.
Details about the circumstances surrounding the incorrect claims, money still being pursued and investigations into fraud were not released by the Department of Resources, Energy and Tourism, which now holds the documents.Details about the circumstances surrounding the incorrect claims, money still being pursued and investigations into fraud were not released by the Department of Resources, Energy and Tourism, which now holds the documents.
The voluntary paybacks of wrongly claimed money in the HIP ranged from $25 to $1,600, and installers in New South Wales had to pay the most money back to the scheme at $220,252.49.The voluntary paybacks of wrongly claimed money in the HIP ranged from $25 to $1,600, and installers in New South Wales had to pay the most money back to the scheme at $220,252.49.
Queensland had $127,771.18 worth of incorrect payments while Victoria repaid $61,010.85.Queensland had $127,771.18 worth of incorrect payments while Victoria repaid $61,010.85.
In Western Australia $30,502.60 was repaid while in Tasmania it was $3,830. In South Australia $6,817.50 was repaid and $2,916 was repaid in the Australian Capital Territory.In Western Australia $30,502.60 was repaid while in Tasmania it was $3,830. In South Australia $6,817.50 was repaid and $2,916 was repaid in the Australian Capital Territory.
The HIP was part of the $42bn stimulus package used by the Rudd government to try to mitigate the effects of the global financial crisis in Australia.The HIP was part of the $42bn stimulus package used by the Rudd government to try to mitigate the effects of the global financial crisis in Australia.
Homeowners were subsidised for having insulation installed and installers were also able to claim back up to $1,600 for each household.Homeowners were subsidised for having insulation installed and installers were also able to claim back up to $1,600 for each household.
In 2010, the government wrote to more than 1m households, asking about the quality of work in their insulation installations in a bid to crack down on defrauding of the program.In 2010, the government wrote to more than 1m households, asking about the quality of work in their insulation installations in a bid to crack down on defrauding of the program.
At least three fraud cases were referred to the Australian Federal Police and others were given 30 days to repay the money. Those who complied are included in the voluntary repayment statistics.At least three fraud cases were referred to the Australian Federal Police and others were given 30 days to repay the money. Those who complied are included in the voluntary repayment statistics.
The federal auditor-general released a report into the program in 2010 which said the department was underprepared and overwhelmed by the program and it was rushed in.The federal auditor-general released a report into the program in 2010 which said the department was underprepared and overwhelmed by the program and it was rushed in.
Two months ago, Queensland coroner Michael Barnes criticised the program in his findings into the deaths of three young men who died while installing insulation, and said it had been rushed out.Two months ago, Queensland coroner Michael Barnes criticised the program in his findings into the deaths of three young men who died while installing insulation, and said it had been rushed out.
Opposition leader Tony Abbott has promised that a judicial inquiry into the program will be initiated in his first month of government if the Coalition wins the election.Opposition leader Tony Abbott has promised that a judicial inquiry into the program will be initiated in his first month of government if the Coalition wins the election.
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