The Australian Government has named the Chair and Advisory Board of the Net Zero Economy Agency.
The Hon Greg Combet AM has been named Chair of the Net Zero Economy Agency. As Chair, Combet will oversee the Agency to guarantee that the workers, industries, and communities that have driven Australia for centuries can capitalise on the potential of the net zero revolution. An Advisory Board will assist the Chair in designing and establishing the legislated Net Zero Authority.
Members of the Advisory Board include:
- Professor Ross Garnaut AC – Professor Emeritus in Economics at the University of Melbourne and Professor Emeritus, College of Asia & the Pacific at ANU;
- Professor Paul Simshauser AM – CEO of Powerlink Queensland and Professor of Economics at Griffith University;
- Anthea Harris – CEO of the Australian Energy Regulator;
- Nicole Lockwood – Chair of Infrastructure WA, board member of NBN and former Shire President of Roebourne;
- Kellie Parker – CEO of Rio Tinto Australia;
- Michele O’Neil – President of the Australian Council of Trade Unions;
- Professor Robynne Quiggin – Pro-Vice Chancellor of UTS and part of Steering committee for the First Nations Clean Energy Network;
- Anna Skarbek – CEO of ClimateWorks, Director of the Green Building Council of Australia, the Centre for New Energy Technologies, the Sustainable Australia Fund, Impact Investment Group, and Sentient Impact Group;
- Tony Maher – General President of the Mining and Energy Union;
- Laura Tyler – Chief Technical Officer, BHP.
According to the Federal Government, Combet is uniquely qualified to run the Net Zero Economy Agency, having knowledge on government, investment, climate policy, and industrial relations, in addition to skills in coal mining engineering. He will commence with the job on 10 July 2023.
Combet currently serves as the Chair of IFM Investors and Industry Super Australia, and has previously served as the Minister for Climate Change and Energy Efficiency, the Minister for Industry and Innovation, the Minister for Defence Personnel, Science, and Materiel, and as a leader of the Australian Council of Trade Unions.
Meanwhile, members of the Advisory Board were chosen for their extensive knowledge in various fields, including workplace relations, energy markets, regional development, First Nations engagement, and economic development.
In addition to the Chair and Advisory Board, stakeholder reference groups will be formed to guide the Agency’s work with representatives, including regional experts, to engage workers, industry, and communities regarding the net zero transition.
Last month, the Federal Government committed to establishing a national Net Zero Authority, which will collaborate with state, territory, and local governments, existing regional bodies, unions, industry, investors, and First Nations groups to assist key regions, industries, employers, and others in proactively managing the transition to a clean energy economy.
The Net Zero Economy Agency will begin operations in July 2023 to kickstart the Authority’s responsibilities.
