Former NSW Liberal Treasurer Matt Kean has been named the new chair of the federal government’s Climate Change Authority. Kean, who quit state politics earlier this month, will lead the independent statutory body which advises the Commonwealth on climate change policy. Often outspoken on climate change policy within the NSW Liberal Party, Kean takes over from Grant King, who resigned after more than three years in the role.
“I worked very closely with Mr Kean when we introduced our coal and gas and our energy price relief plan in partnership with the NSW state government and other state governments as well,” he told reporters in Canberra on Monday. “Mr Kean understands the opportunity that the transition to clean energy represents for our nation.” Kean, who is also a former NSW energy and environment minister, had previously said he was retiring from politics to join the private sector.