Penny Wong argued responsibility for the axed
program now rested with another minister and
another department.
The Federal Opposition has accused the Government of trying to stifle further public scrutiny of its failed home insulation program.
The Opposition was initially thwarted in its attempts to ask questions of Environment Department officials about the program at Senate estimates yesterday.
Climate Change Minister Penny Wong argued responsibility for the axed program now rested with another minister and another department.
Ms Wong also argued the department had already answered questions about the scheme.
"[This] is no longer a matter that these departments and these offices are seised with," she said.
"I'd also make the comment that the Senate has at least one inquiry into the home insulation program and I think there is remit clearly within those inquiries for officers from both departments to be questioned about, both pre and post the administrative orders change."
The Opposition claims Senator Wong is simply trying to gag further debate on the topic.
Liberal Senator Ian McDonald quizzed the department's secretary, Robyn Kruk, on the failed program.
He also accused the Government of avoiding questions that could be potentially damaging.
"You only answer those questions which don't ... embarrass you," he said.
"I'm asking the relevant people who are before this committee, not some other committee."
Ms Kruk denied claims she was avoiding responsibility for the failed scheme.
She also says safety was always a top priority for her department when administering the insulation scheme.
"Increased requirement on training for operators in the industry was stressed from the start and also the subsequent modifications to the working environment were, I think, evidence of the fact the safety issues were always front of mind," she said.
"I again say there were inherent risks, some of that risk could not be mitigated."
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