The minister for climate change and energy is a portfolio in the Government of Australia. The current minister is Chris Bowen. The minister administers his or her portfolios through the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (established on 1 July 2022.).
The portfolio is a federal ministerial portfolio responsible for the coordination and implementation of sustainable energy policies by the Australian Government. These policy areas include the mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions, the promotion of energy efficiency, as well as adaptations to climate change within domestic and international contexts. The post was first held by Rex Connor in 1972 as Minister for Minerals and Energy.
History The precursor to the department was led by Secretary Blair Comley who reported to the Minister for Climate Change and Energy Efficiency, Greg Combet. The Minister was assisted by the Secretary for Climate Change and Energy Efficiency, Mark Dreyfus. The Clean Energy Regulator was an associated statutory authority formed on 2 April 2012.
On 25 March 2013, the responsibility for Climate Change policy passed to the newly formed Department of Industry, Innovation, Climate Change, Science, Research and Tertiary Education, and the duties of the Ministry of Energy passed to the Department of Resources, Energy and Tourism. Following the 2013 Australian federal election the responsibility for energy was shifted to the Minister for Industry, Innovation and Science under the Abbott government.
After the 2016 Australian federal election, the responsibilities were passed to the Minister of the Environment and Energy under the Turnbull government. Following the appointment of Scott Morrison as prime minister in August 2018, Josh Frydenberg was elevated to Treasurer of Australia, whereby Frydenberg's previous ministerial positions were separated, with Melissa Price as Minister of the Environment and Angus Taylor as Minister for Energy.
On 1 February 2020, An Administrative Arrangements Order (AAOs) was executed by the Australian Government. This order required small business and energy functions be passed to the renamed Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources.
Objectives The department deals with:
Development and coordination of domestic and international climate change policy International climate change negotiations Design and implementation of emissions trading Mandatory renewable energy target policy, regulation, and co-ordination Greenhouse emissions and energy consumption reporting Climate change adaptation strategy and co-ordination Co-ordination of climate change science activities
List of energy ministers The following individuals have been appointed as energy minister, or any of its precedent titles: Order Minister Party Prime Minister Title Term start Term end Term in office 1 Rex Connor LaborWhitlamMinister for Minerals and Energy 19 December 1972 14 October 1975 2 Ken Wriedt 14 October 1975 11 November 1975 days 3 John Carrick Liberal Fraser Minister for National Development and Energy8 December 197911 March 1983 4 Peter Walsh LaborHawkeMinister for Resources and Energy 11 March 1983 13 December 1984 5 Gareth Evans 13 December 1984 24 July 1987 6 John Kerin Minister for Primary Industries and Energy 7 Simon Crean Keating 8 Bob Collins 9 John Anderson National Howard Warwick Parer Liberal Minister for Resources and Energy 10Martin FergusonLabor RuddMinister for Resources and Energy 3 December 2007 24 June 2010 Gillard 24 June 2010 22 March 2013 11Gary Gray 22 March 2013 27 June 2013 days Rudd 27 June 2013 18 September 2013 12Josh FrydenbergLiberal Turnbull Minister for Resources, Energy and Northern Australia Minister for Resources and Energy Minister for the Environment and Energy 13 Angus Taylor Morrison Minister for Energy Minister for Energy and Emissions Reduction Minister for Industry, Energy and Emissions Reduction14 Chris Bowen Labor Albanese Minister for Climate Change and Energy incumbent
List of ministers for climate change The Minister for Climate Change is responsible for developing climate change (global warming) solutions, mitigating greenhouse gas emissions, and promoting energy efficiency. The following individuals have been appointed to the post, or any of its precursor titles:
Order Minister Party Prime Minister Title Term start Term end Term in office 1 Penny Wong Labor Rudd Minister for Climate Change and Water Minister for Climate Change, Energy Efficiency and Water Gillard 2 Greg Combet Minister for Climate Change and Energy Efficiency 3 Mark Butler Rudd Minister for Climate Change 4 Chris Bowen Labor Albanese Minister for Climate Change and Energy Incumbent
List of assistant ministers for climate change and energy The following individuals have been appointed as Assistant Minister for Climate Change and Energy, or any of its precedent titles:
Order Minister Party Prime Minister Title Term start Term end Term in office 1 Jenny McAllister Labor Albanese Assistant Minister for Climate Change and Energy 2 Josh Wilson Incumbent
See also
Carbon tax in Australia List of Australian Commonwealth Government entities
References
External links