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Premier Anthony Albanese announced Keane as the organisation’s next chairman, saying the long-serving state Liberal MP was “uniquely qualified” for the position.
“Matt Keen is an outstanding appointment for this job,” he said.
“I worked very closely with Mr Keane as we introduced our coal and gas cap and our energy price relief plan in partnership with the NSW State Government as well as other state governments. We know it made a practical difference.
“Mr. Keane understands the opportunity that the transition to clean energy presents for our nation. He understood it as a member of the New South Wales Government and he understood it as someone who has focused his professional life in recent years on making a difference.”
Keane announced his resignation from the NSW Parliament last Tuesday. He originally planned to move into the private sector, but today said he welcomes the invitation to remain in public service.
“The Climate Change Authority plays an important role in providing independent advice to today’s government based on facts, science, evidence, engineering and economics,” he said.
“I intend to follow in the tradition … the experts tell us – and I agree – that if we make the right transition, we can not only put pressure on the power bills of families and businesses across the country, but protect the environment and make our an economy even stronger and more prosperous for all forever.”
Keane was first elected as the Liberal member for Hornsby in 2011 before being promoted to the NSW Cabinet in 2017.
After the 2019 election, he was given the energy and environment portfolio in Gladys Berejiklian’s government and became treasurer and later deputy leader of the Liberals under Dominic Perrotet.
His appointment comes amid a standoff between the federal government and the opposition over Australia’s future energy policy following the Nuclear Power Coalition’s announcement last week.
Keane said he explored the prospects for nuclear power as energy secretary.
“The advice I received at the time that was most compelling was from NSW’s Chief Scientist, Professor Hugh Durran-White,” Keane said.
“He’s one of the few people in the country who has run a nuclear program … and his advice to me was to get nuclear into the system, it would take a long time and it would be too expensive for NSW.” “
Albanese said Keane was aware of the opportunities available in Australia’s energy transition.
“He also understands the folly of backing away from the transition to renewables,” the prime minister said.
“And (he) as a former NSW treasurer understands the certainty the business community needs to invest to make sure we meet not only the challenges but also the opportunities that the transition to a clean economy energy represents.”
Keane will start as chair of the Climate Change Authority in early August.
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