Turnbull barred from climate board because he ‘alienated’ Coalition colleagues

NSW Energy Minister Matt Kean says Malcolm Turnbull was barred from being appointed chair to the Net Zero Emissions and Clean Economy board because he “alienated” Coalition colleagues who needed to come together to combat climate questions. Sky News Australia revealed last week Mr Kean was planning on placing Mr Turnbull as the chair of the key climate body before the former prime minister made controversial statements calling for a freeze to new mine approvals. This morning Mr Kean said he backflipped on his original decision because an appointment as “controversial” as Malcolm Turnbull’s was going to cause “great difficulty” in continuing to move forward. “I was focused on the best person for the job and clearly Malcolm Turnbull is outstandingly qualified to help us not only support existing industries but to future-proof them and set our country up for success,” he said. “What was clear to me is that a number of my colleagues felt alienated by this decision … and if we are going to move forward and reduce our emissions in a way that grows our economy we need to bring everyone on the journey”. Mr Kean clarified the Liberals “support coal mining” and “supports a strong mining industry in NSW”.