Australia minister demoted

Australia’s Environment Minister has been demoted following a bungled home insulation programme.



Peter Garrett, former lead singer with the band Midnight Oil, introduced the scheme that is linked to four deaths and more than 90 fires.



He has been given reduced responsibilities.



The energy-saving scheme was a central part both of the Rudd government\'s economic stimulus package and its environmental strategy.



However four deaths of insulation installers have been linked to the programme since October and 96 house fires.



The incidents have damaged the popularity of the Rudd government.



There have been repeated calls from the opposition for the former rock star to be sacked.



Meanwhile, emergency inspections have been ordered in tens of thousands of homes because of the risk of electrification from foil insulation that was incorrectly installed.