CCA chair Matt Kean, Minister for Climate Change Chris Bowen and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announcing Mr Kean’s appointment on Monday. Photo: Chris Bowen Facebook.
Just four days after quitting state politics, former NSW member for Hornsby and Minister for Energy and Environment, Minister for Innovation and Better Regulation, and Treasurer Matt Kean has been appointed to lead the Federal Climate Change Authority (CCA) by the Labor Albanese government.
The CCA is an independent statutory body that provides expert advice to the Federal Government on climate change policy.
As a self-described moderate Liberal, Mr Kean has long been a voice for policies to combat climate change and promote renewable energy sources, often against traditional Liberal Party-affiliated interest groups and elements within his own party and the coalition.
In his valedictory speech to the NSW Parliament on 21 June, Mr Kean said it is incumbent on the current generation to build a better future for those that come after us.
“But as a Liberal in the 21st century, the biggest challenge to that principle is climate change,” he said.
“In the same way that we, as Liberals, believe that you should not leave a financial debt to future generations, I believe that it’s incumbent upon us not to leave an environmental debt to future generations.
“Climate change is the challenge of our generation, which needs a once-in-a-generation response,” he added.
“This is the biggest challenge that will face our society and our economy in our lifetime.
“We know that climate change will lead to more extreme weather events and that these are already happening now.
“During my time in this place, we saw the worst bushfires NSW has ever had, the worst drought that we’ve ever had, the most expensive natural disaster event that we’ve ever had in the form of the Lismore floods.
“And for the critics who complain of an economic and financial cost from acting on climate change, let me tell you, as Treasurer, I saw the catastrophic cost of not acting.”
In his valedictory speech to the NSW Parliament on 21 June, Mr Kean described climate change as the challenge of our generation, one which needs a once-in-a-generation response. Photo: Matt Kean Facebook.
However, Mr Kean has quickly been thrust squarely into the battle of words between the Federal Coalition and the government over Opposition Leader Peter Dutton’s plan to build nuclear power stations across seven sites in four states if he wins the next election.
SKY News this morning replayed comments from a June 2021 interview with Mr Kean in which he appeared to endorse nuclear energy and the development of small nuclear reactors as a possible future energy source for Australia.
Speaking at the Prime Minister’s announcement this morning, Mr Kean clarified his comments, saying that when he was NSW Treasurer, he “looked at all options, including nuclear”, adding that he subsequently made decisions “based on economics and engineering”.
“In order to bring nuclear into the system, it would take far too long and be far too expensive for the people of NSW,” he said.
The government says that, as a former NSW Treasurer and Minister for Energy and Environment, Mr Kean is uniquely qualified to lead the CCA and that he was a prominent proponent of climate action that is in the best interests of households and businesses.
Mr Kean will replace Grant King as chair who will deliver the CCA’s advice on sectoral decarbonisation pathways to support Australia’s transition to net zero before his resignation takes effect in early August.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the energy transition is a huge opportunity for Australia to create jobs, grow the economy and lower power prices.
“My Government’s approach is focussed on reducing emissions while creating maximum benefits for Australian families and households,” he said.
“We are proud to appoint Mr Kean today for this important role and as part of the expert team that will deliver these benefits for our economy.
“Matt Kean is an outstanding appointment for this job,” he added.
“I worked very closely with Mr Kean when we introduced … our caps on coal and gas and our energy price relief plan in partnership with the NSW State Government and other state governments as well.
“We know that it made a practical difference. Mr Kean understands the opportunity that the transition to clean energy represents for our nation.”
Minister for Climate Change and Energy Chris Bowen said good climate and energy policy is good economic policy and said Mr Kean gets that.
“Our ambitious but achievable policies are ensuring our approach is credible and delivers benefits for all Australians. The Climate Change Authority is critical to this agenda,” he said.
“I thank Grant King for his leadership of the Climate Change Authority, which has seen the Authority restored to its proper role in supporting the government’s responsible climate goals.
“Matt Kean’s time in public office was marked by reform and the ability to bring people from across the political spectrum with him for the good of the community.”
