JOBS NEWS: Matt Kean, former NSW Liberal Treasurer and Energy Minister, has been appointed as chair of the federal Climate Change Authority, to enthusiastic congratulations from climate and environmental supporters and gnashing of teeth from some of the more vitriolic coalition supporters.
In a surprise press conference on Monday, Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Minister for Climate Change and Energy Chris Bowen announced their shock pick after the cabinet signed off on the appointment that morning.
Kean had farewelled the state parliament the week before, flagging his retirement from politics and intentions to pursue opportunities in the private renewable energy space instead. During his valedictory speech, he likened the fight against climate change to that of “overcoming Nazism during World War II”.
While Kean had skirted questions about his stance on Dutton’s nuclear plan during the conference, he made clear that he had a “technology agnostic view” on nuclear achieving net zero and intended to take the advice of NSW chief scientist Hugh Durrant-Whyte in that “…it would take far too long and would be far too expensive for New South Wales.”
Kean added that the CSIRO and the Australian Energy Market Operator had voiced similar views – and therefore, his views will not change.
“It is too important to leave to chance. We need policies based on facts evidence, and that’s why we intend to advise government on.”
In early April, Kean resigned from the conservative Coalition for Conservation or C4C, because of its nuclear stance. In the resignation letter he posted on social media, he said,
“When the network was formed, I was an enthusiastic supporter, because I believe that it is the coalition that should be the best custodians for our environment.
“It has become clear in recent times that the Coalition for Conservation has increasingly focussed on nuclear power in the electricity system.
“In particular, I was concerned to read an article in the Canberra Times advocating nuclear power stations as an alternative to building new large-scale transmission lines.
“While I recognise that one cannot rule out nuclear playing a constructive role in the Australian electricity system in the distant future, the reality is that there is no feasible pathway to play any material role in helping Australia replace our coal fired power stations in line with the climate science.”
He noted the extreme expense of nuclear far outweighs alternatives set out by the Australian Energy Market Operator’s integrated system plan and that he regarded advocacy for nuclear power as against the public interest on environmental, engineering and economic grounds.
“I also see it as an attempt to delay and defer responsible and decisive action or
climate change in a way that seems to drive up power prices in NSW by delaying renewables.”
Kean will succeed current chair Grant King as chair of the Climate Authority in August.
CIBSE new president
The Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers has appointed Fiona Cousins as its new president from 2024 to 2025.
Cousins has notably spent more than 38 years at Arup and held multiple roles there, including being the chair of the Americas region and a board member of the Arup Group.
Cousins started as a mechanical engineer and worked on many awards winning projects, such as the US Embassy in London and Fulton Street Station in New York. She was recognised as an influential leader in the commercial real estate industry in 2023, featured in the Commercial Observer Power 100 List and Crain’s New York Business list as a notable leader.
She thanks outgoing president Adrian Catchpole and notes she’ll continue his work in getting STEM ambassadors out into schools and rolling out certified practice initiatives. She adds, “CIBSE has an enormous role in addressing the big challenges of our time: climate change, social inequity, and decreasing biodiversity.”
Property Council ACT
The Property Council of Australia has appointed Ashlee Berry as its new ACT and Capital Region executive director.
With a background in law, Berry had most recently worked as a director of member services and legal counsel for Master Builders ACT and prior to that, as a senior associate in a Canberra-based private legal practice. She has also spent more than three years working as a solicitor for two regional legal practices in NSW.
Property Council chief executive Mike Zorbas said Berry’s experience in policy will make her a formidable advocate for investment in placemaking and jobs in the region.
Berry will take over her role from current executive director Shane Martin in the coming months. Martin had been in the role since his appointment in June last year.