Batts royal commission gets underway

Commissioner Ian Hangar outlines his priorities for Royal Commission into the Home insulation program

A royal commission into the Rudd government's home insulation scheme is set to begin in Brisbane. Source: AAP

A ROYAL commission will investigate whether the former Labor government was warned about its bungled home insulation scheme that's been blamed for the deaths of four young men.

The commission has been given wide ranging terms of reference to establish "what really went wrong".

It will "fill the gaps" of other administrative reviews and coronial inquests, Commissioner Ian Hangar QC, says.

Matthew Fuller, Rueben Barnes, Mitchell Sweeney and Marcus Wilson all lost their lives while working on the "pink batts" program established by the former Kevin Rudd led government in early 2009.

The program has also been blamed for at least one serious injury, fire and damage to scores of homes as well as serious financial losses to both businesses and individuals.

When opening the first public hearing into the bungled program on Monday, Mr Hangar said he would probe the actions of the government and the public servants involved.

The commission would also investigate whether the government sought or received advice or warnings about the program and how it responded, he said.

Counsel Assisting Keith Wilson said the inquiry would place a particular emphasis on workplace health and safety.

Those affected by the bungled scheme will be called to appear.

Mr Wilson said 76 summons and notices to produce are being served on those with information relevant to the inquiry.

Public sittings are expected to be held in March and April next year, with the commission to deliver its findings mid-year.

The commission has been adjourned to a date yet to be fixed.

After the hearing, Kevin Fuller said the life of his son, Matthew, was ultimately lost due to a combination of "arrogance, stupidity and assumptions".

Mr Fuller said previous inquires had established that employers "did things wrong" but were limited in their scope.

He said public servants, both state and federal, have a lot to answer for and hopes the royal commission will get to the bottom of the debacle.

"I'm pleased that the terms of references are extremely broad so they can get to the truth," he told reporters.

Mr Fuller said four lives had been lost, and others risked, to save the economy.

"We don't talk about the huge number that got almost killed or got seriously injured ... so it's the whole impact not just the four deaths," he said.

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