Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has unveiled his new cabinet, which consists of newly created portfolios and promotions resulting in a reshuffle.
One of those newly created portfolio is the expansion of the Minister for the Environment role to the Minister of Environment and Energy, which has been handed over to Josh Frydenberg.
According to Climate Control News, Frydenberg’s new responsibilities will include the renewable energy target and ARENA.
AIRAH Executive Manager of Government Relations, Phil Wilkinson, stated to Climate Control News that he believes that the Cabinet reshuffle is good for the HVACR industry.
“Having both Frydenberg and Hunt involved in the areas that cover our industry is a positive as we have worked closely with both departments on emissions reduction issues for many years; our industry issues will be well understood.”
In comparison, Refrigerants Australia Executive Director, Greg Picker, stated to Climate Control News that he was sorry to see Hunt move on, however he was hopeful that the expansion of the Minister for the Environment role would “allow the government to more easily develop comprehensive policy solutions for both environmental and energy issues.”
Meanwhile the Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA) CEO, Romily Madew, stated to FM Magazine that expansion of the Minister for the Environment role, as well as Frydenberg’s appointment, provides benefits to the overall goal of reducing emissions.
“When a quarter of our nation’s emissions come from our buildings and the industry is already working hard to reduce energy consumption across the board, bringing environment and energy together makes smart sense.”
The Age stated that previous Minister for the Environment, Greg Hunt, has taken over the role of Minister for Industry, Innovation and Science.