The Albanese government has appointed the former New South Wales Liberal treasurer and energy minister Matt Kean to head the Climate Change Authority.
The appointment of Kean, a leading moderate and dedicated promoter of renewables, is a blow for Opposition Leader Peter Dutton as he prosecutes the Coalition’s proposal for seven nuclear plants to be a crucial part of Australia’s longer-term energy mix.
Kean is a divisive figure in the Liberal Party. He’s been a faction leader of the moderates and is disliked by the conservatives, falling out with former Prime Minister Scott Morrison in 2021 over his initial refusal to commit to a net-zero emissions policy by 2050. He has a strong and outspoken record on climate and energy issues.
