Combet to chair new Net Zero Economy Agency

Former federal industry minister Greg Combet has been announced as Chair of the Net Zero Economy Agency, with prime minister Anthony Albanese also naming the agency’s advisory board on Wednesday.

Combet will begin in the role on July 10. He was described in a statement by Albanese on Wednesday as “uniquely qualified”, with a background including “government, investment, climate policy and industrial relations” and a qualification as a coal mining engineer. 

“Last month the Government committed to legislate a national Net Zero Authority, which will work with state, territory and local governments, existing regional bodies, unions, industry, investors and First Nations groups to help key regions, industries, employers and others proactively manage the transformation to a clean energy economy,” a statement from Albanese reads.

“To kickstart the Authority’s responsibilities immediately, the Net Zero Economy Agency will start work from July this year.” 

Combet is currently Chair of IFM Investors and Industry Super Australia, and his previous roles include leadership of the Australian Council of Trade Unions, and the climate change, industry and innovation, and defence personnel, science and materiel portfolios in the governments of Kevin Rudd and Julia Gillard.

Advisory board members include University of Melbourne economist Professor Ross Garnaut, CEO of Powerlink Queensland and Professor of Economics at Griffith University Paul Simshauser, CEO of Rio Tinto Australia Kellie Parker, and CEO of the Australian Energy Regulator Anthea Harris.

Picture: credit Toby Hudson/wikimedia commons

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