Today’s media reports from the ABC concerning the safety and integrity of Labor’s battery
subsidy program must not be ignored.
The safety of Australians who have installed a home battery and the allegations of fraud in
the home battery program deserve nothing less than a full inquiry.
Freedom of Information documents clearly show fraudsters have been allowed to abuse this
government program and this also raises serious safety concerns.
The fresh material unearthed by the ABC contains allegations that:
- Basic compliance paperwork is not being completed and is some cases, is being
forged - Small-scale Technology Certifications are being falsely claimed
- The subsidy is being claimed for battery systems that haven’t actually been installed
- Deregistered organisations are operating within the program
The Albanese Labor Government has used every trick in the book to prevent Australians
from finding out about these potentially illegal activities.
Yesterday in the Senate, Labor voted – again – to block the release of key documents relating
to the program.
The scheme has been rushed, poorly managed, and is having an unsustainable impact on
the federal budget; from an initial $2.3 billion funding profile, the non-means tested
program is forecast to cost $8.5 billion.
In addition to a pending investigation by the Auditor-General, it is clear that broader action
is now required.
If the Government will not initiate an independent inquiry, the Coalition will now take steps,
in good faith, to establish a Select Committee into the Cheaper Home Batteries Program in
the Senate.
ENDS
Media contact: Phil Connole M | 0417 063 605