The Construction Forestry Mining Energy Union has criticised the federal government's cavalier disregard for workplace safety in the operation of its home insulation scheme, calling for it to be tightly regulated. It also hit out at the Coalition for "posturing", saying it did nothing for workers' safety when it was in power.
"The fact that four people have died tells you there's something rotten in the industry", Dave Noonan, national secretary of the CFMEU construction division told ABC News online on February 12.
"The union has long held concerns about safety standards among unregulated sections of the building and construction industry. Better unionised sections of the construction industry do have better safety records, but more needs to be done to minimise risk to workers, especially younger workers.
"Right now we need every MP to stop posturing and get serious about safety in the building and construction industry and to support tough legislation to enforce safety standards."