Green Loans Program
Terms of Reference
That the following matters be referred to the Environment, Communications and the Arts References Committee for inquiry and report by 21 June 2010:
(a) the Government's Green Loans Program (the program), with particular reference to:
(i) the administration of the program from a pricing, probity and efficiency perspective, including:
(A) the basis on which the Government determined the amounts of the loan to be made available and Government subsidy thereof,
(B) regulation of Home Sustainability Assessment practices, including the promotion of assessments,
(C) accreditation of Home Sustainability Assessors,
(D) ensuring value for money for taxpayers,
(E) waste, inefficiency and mismanagement within the program,
(F) ensuring the program achieves its stated aims of improving water and energy efficiency, and
(G) the consultation and advice received from financial institutions regarding their participation,
(ii) an examination of:
(A) employment and investment in Home Sustainability Assessments resulting from the program, including that resulting from Government statements regarding the number of accredited assessors,
(B) the effectiveness of the booking system,
(C) the effectiveness and timeliness of Home Sustainability Assessment reports being provided,
(D) the early reduction by the Government in the number of Green Loans to be offered, and subsequent discontinuation of the loans, including by financial institutions in advance of the Government's announced date of discontinuation,
(E) homeowner actions for which Green Loans have been sought and approved,
(F) the level of evaluation of homeowner action following any Home Sustainability Assessment, and
(G) what advice was provided to the Government on the feasibility and effectiveness of the program, including to what degree the Government acted on this advice, and
(iii) an analysis of the effectiveness of the program as a means to improve the water and energy efficiency of homes, including comparison with alternative policy measures;
(b) consideration of measures to reduce or eliminate waste and mismanagement, and to ensure value for money for the remainder of the program, noting the commitment of funding for an additional 600,000 free Home Sustainability Assessments despite the discontinuation of the loans; and
(c) other related matters.
For further information, contact: Committee Secretary
Senate Standing Committee on Environment, Communications and the Arts
PO Box 6100
Parliament House
Canberra ACT 2600
Australia