Matt Kean

{{Infobox officeholder

| honorific-prefix = The Honourable

| honorific-suffix =

| image = Matt Kean - CEBIT Australia Day 1 Plenary.jpg

| office = Chair of the Climate Change Authority

| appointer = Anthony Albanese

| term_start = 1 August 2024

| term_end =

| preceded = Grant King

{{collapsed infobox section begin |last=yes|NSW Minister {{nobold|2017–{{wj}}2023}}

| titlestyle = border:1px dashed lightgrey;}}{{Infobox officeholder|embed=yes

| order1 = 66th

| office1 = Treasurer of New South Wales

| premier1 = Dominic Perrottet

| term_start1 = 5 October 2021

| term_end1 = 28 March 2023

| predecessor1 = Dominic Perrottet

| successor1 = Daniel Mookhey

| office2 = Minister for Energy

| premier2 = Dominic Perrottet

| term_start2 = 21 December 2021

| term_end2 = 28 March 2023

| predecessor2 = Himself {{small|(as Minister for Energy and Environment)}}

| successor2 = Penny Sharpe

| office3 = Minister for Energy and Environment

| premier3 = Gladys Berejiklian
Dominic Perrottet

| term_start3 = 2 April 2019

| term_end3 = 21 December 2021

| predecessor3 = Don Harwin {{small|(as Minister for Energy and Utilities)}}
Gabrielle Upton {{small|(as Minister for Environment)}}

| successor3 = Himself {{small|(as Minister for Energy)}}
James Griffin {{small|(as Minister for Environment and Heritage)}}

| office4 = Minister for Innovation and Better Regulation

| premier4 = Gladys Berejiklian

| term_start4 = 30 January 2017

| term_end4 = 2 April 2019

| predecessor4 = Victor Dominello

| successor4 = Kevin Anderson{{collapsed infobox section end}}

}}

| office5 = Deputy Leader of the New South Wales Liberal Party

| leader5 = Dominic Perrottet

| term_start5 = 9 August 2022

| term_end5 = 26 March 2023

| predecessor5 = Stuart Ayres

| successor5 = Natalie Ward

| constituency_AM7 = Hornsby

| assembly7 = New South Wales Legislative

| majority7 =

| term_start7 = 26 March 2011

| term_end7 = 2 August 2024{{cite Hansard |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240806074608/https://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/Hansard/Pages/HansardResult.aspx#/docid/HANSARD-1323879322-143119 |url-status=live |archive-date=6 August 2024 |access-date=6 August 2024 |jurisdiction=New South Wales |house=Legislative Assembly |title=Electoral District Of Hornsby |hansard=Legislative Assembly Hansard |speaker=Mr Greg Piper, Mr Ron Hoenig |position=The Speaker, Leader of the House |date=6 August 2024|url=https://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/Hansard/Pages/HansardResult.aspx#/docid/HANSARD-1323879322-143119}}

| predecessor7 = Judy Hopwood

| successor7 = James Wallace

| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|df=y|1981|9|16}}

| birth_place = Wahroonga, New South Wales, Australia

| death_date =

| death_place =

| party = Liberal

| alma_mater = University of Technology Sydney

| education = Saint Ignatius' College, Riverview

| residence = Pennant Hills

| nationality = Australian

| occupation = Politician

| caption = Kean in 2017

}}

Matthew John Kean (born 16 September 1981) is a former Australian politician who is the Chair of the Climate Change Authority.{{cite web |quote=Mr. Matt Kean - Chair |url=https://www.climatechangeauthority.gov.au/about-authority/who-we-are |title=Current Authority Members |access-date=6 August 2024 |archive-date=6 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240806075255/https://www.climatechangeauthority.gov.au/about-authority/who-we-are |url-status=live}}{{cite news |last=Crowley |first=Tom |date=24 June 2024 |title=Labor appoints Liberal Matt Kean to top climate role |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-06-24/labor-appoints-liberal-matt-kean-to-top-climate-role/104014652 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240624030809/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-06-24/labor-appoints-liberal-matt-kean-to-top-climate-role/104014652 |archive-date=24 June 2024 |access-date=24 June 2024 |work=ABC News}} Prior to this, he was the Treasurer of New South Wales in the second Perrottet ministry of New South Wales between October 2021 and March 2023. He was also the Minister for Energy between April 2019 and March 2023{{cite news |author=Han, Sophie |url=https://www.smh.com.au/politics/nsw/berejiklian-s-new-massive-cabinet-sworn-in-amid-peals-of-laughter-20190402-p519wj.html |url-access=registration |archive-date=25 June 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240625060728/https://www.smh.com.au/politics/nsw/berejiklian-s-new-massive-cabinet-sworn-in-amid-peals-of-laughter-20190402-p519wj.html |url-status=live |title=Berejiklian's new massive cabinet sworn in amid peals of laughter |work=The Sydney Morning Herald |date=2 April 2019 |access-date=3 April 2019 }} and was also the Deputy Leader of the Liberal Party from August 2022 until March 2023. He represented Hornsby for the party in the New South Wales Legislative Assembly from 2011 to 2024.{{cite NSW Parliament |id=61 |name=The Hon. (Matt) Matthew John KEAN, BBus, GradDipCA |former=Yes |accessdate=4 April 2019}}

Kean previously served as the Minister for Innovation and Better Regulation from January 2017 until March 2019 in the first Berejiklian ministry{{cite news|title=NSW Cabinet reshuffle: Premier Gladys Berejiklian announces big changes to front bench |quote=With Hornsby Liberal MP Matt Kean and former Upper House president Don Harwin rewarded with frontbench positions, the Labor opposition has accused the Premier of using the reshuffle to promote her allies and reward Liberal powerbrokers. |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-01-29/premier-gladys-berejiklian-announces-new-cabinet-queanbeyan/8221072|access-date=19 June 2024|publisher=ABC News|location=Australia|date=29 January 2017|archive-date=19 June 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240619031837/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-01-29/premier-gladys-berejiklian-announces-new-cabinet-queanbeyan/8221072|first1=Dom|last1=Vukovic|first2=Sarah|last2=Gerathy|first3=Philippa|last3=McDonald|url-status=live}} and as the Minister for Environment from April 2019 until December 2021 in the second Berejiklian ministry.

Early years and background

Kean grew up in the Berowra area and was educated at Saint Ignatius' College, Riverview before attaining a Bachelor of Business from the University of Technology, Sydney.{{cite web |website=mattkean.com.au |url=https://mattkean.com.au/about-matt-0 |quote=Matt’s involvement in politics began at a young age. He studied a Bachelor of Business at the University of Technology, Sydney where he was actively involved in student politics. |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/SRCz1 |archive-date=19 June 2024 |url-status=live |access-date=19 June 2024 |title=About Matt}}{{cite news |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240404141650/https://www.smh.com.au/politics/nsw/classic-liberal-matt-kean-in-his-dream-job-as-nsw-treasurer-20230314-p5cs49.html |archive-date=4 April 2024 |access-date=19 June 2024 |date=19 March 2023 |title=‘Classic liberal’ Matt Kean in his dream job as NSW treasurer |first=Matt |last=Wade|url=https://www.smh.com.au/politics/nsw/classic-liberal-matt-kean-in-his-dream-job-as-nsw-treasurer-20230314-p5cs49.html|url-access=subscription}} He later completed a graduate diploma at the Institute of Chartered Accountants. While at university, he was elected to the UTS Student Representative Council and as the SRC Executive Member for the Haymarket Campus. Kean has been a member of the Liberal Party since 2001, and in 2008, he was elected vice-president of the NSW Young Liberals. During the 2003 State election campaign, Kean worked as an adviser for the Leader of the Opposition, John Brogden. He subsequently worked for Catherine Cusack MLC as an adviser while she was shadow minister for Juvenile Justice and Women.

Prior to entering Parliament, Kean was briefly an accountant at PricewaterhouseCoopers.{{cite news |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230922122458/https://www.afr.com/politics/why-liberal-matt-kean-is-electrified-by-climate-change-20200810-p55ke3 |archive-date=22 September 2023 |access-date=19 June 2024 |url-status=live |url-access=subscription |date=14 August 2020 |first=Tony |last=Davis |work=The Australian Financial Review |title=Matt Kean's journey from PwC accountant to electrifying Liberal |url=https://www.afr.com/politics/why-liberal-matt-kean-is-electrified-by-climate-change-20200810-p55ke3}}

Political career

Following announcement of the retirement of the sitting member, Judy Hopwood, Kean contested pre-selection for the safe Liberal seat against Hornsby Mayor, Nick Berman, and Hornsby Councillor, Steve Russell.{{cite news |first=Oliver |last=Murray |url=http://hornsby-advocate.whereilive.com.au/news/story/three-candidates-seeking-liberal-endorsement-for-vacant-hornsby-seat/ |archive-date=10 December 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101210185013/http://hornsby-advocate.whereilive.com.au/news/story/three-candidates-seeking-liberal-endorsement-for-vacant-hornsby-seat/ |url-status=dead |title=Three candidates seeking Liberal endorsement for vacant Hornsby seat |date=1 October 2010 |access-date=30 April 2011 |newspaper=Hornsby and Upper North Shore Advocate }} Kean won endorsement{{cite news |first=Oliver |last=Murray |url=http://hornsby-advocate.whereilive.com.au/news/story/matthew-kean-wins-liberal-preselection-battle-for-hornsby/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101117023600/http://hornsby-advocate.whereilive.com.au/news/story/matthew-kean-wins-liberal-preselection-battle-for-hornsby/ |archive-date=17 November 2010 |title=Matthew Kean wins Liberal preselection battle for Hornsby |date=15 November 2010 |access-date=10 April 2011 |newspaper=Hornsby and Upper North Shore Advocate }} and Berman announced his decision to resign from the Liberal Party and run against Kean as an independent candidate at the 2011 State election.{{cite news |first=Oliver |last=Murray |url=http://hornsby-advocate.whereilive.com.au/news/story/hornsby-mayor-nick-berman-quits-liberals-to-stand-as-independent-at-state-election/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101114103948/http://hornsby-advocate.whereilive.com.au/news/story/hornsby-mayor-nick-berman-quits-liberals-to-stand-as-independent-at-state-election/ |archive-date=14 November 2010 |url-status=dead |title=Hornsby Mayor Nick Berman quits Liberals to stand as independent at state election |date=11 November 2010 |access-date=30 April 2011 |newspaper=Hornsby and Upper North Shore Advocate }}{{cite news |first=Oliver|last=Murray |url=http://hornsby-advocate.whereilive.com.au/news/story/hornsby-mayor-nick-berman-does-not-rule-out-rejoining-liberals/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101119200153/http://hornsby-advocate.whereilive.com.au/news/story/hornsby-mayor-nick-berman-does-not-rule-out-rejoining-liberals/ |archive-date=19 November 2010 |url-status=dead |title=Hornsby Mayor Nick Berman does not rule out rejoining Liberals |date=17 November 2010 |access-date=30 April 2011 |newspaper=Hornsby and Upper North Shore Advocate }} At the election, Kean was elected; however, the party suffered a swing of 3.5 points. Kean won the seat with 62.1 per cent of the two-party vote,{{cite news | url = http://www.abc.net.au/elections/nsw/2011/guide/horn.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110905080314/http://www.abc.net.au/elections/nsw/2011/guide/horn.htm |archive-date=5 September 2011 | title = Hornsby | work = NSW Votes 2011 | publisher = Australian Broadcasting Corporation | author = Green, Antony |author-link=Antony Green | date = 5 April 2011 | access-date = 10 April 2011}} with Berman being his main rival.

Kean used his inaugural speech to call on the government to spend as much money on suicide prevention campaigns as it does on road safety campaigns.{{cite Hansard|title=Inaugural Speeches|hansard=Full Day Hansard Transcript (Legislative Assembly, 15 June 2011, Corrected Copy) |url=https://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/member/files/61/Matt%20Kean%20Inaugural%20Speech.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240619022527/https://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/member/files/61/Matt%20Kean%20Inaugural%20Speech.pdf

|archive-date=19 June 2024|url-status=live|access-date=4 July 2012|jurisdiction=Parliament of New South Wales|house=Legislative Assembly|date=15 June 2011|speaker=Matt Kean}}{{cite news|last=Nicholls|first=Sean|date=16 June 2011|title=New MP Spotlights Suicide Prevention|newspaper=The Sydney Morning Herald|url=http://www.smh.com.au/lifestyle/life/new-mp-spotlights-suicide-prevention-20110615-1g3ot.html}} His call for the $10 million campaign received support from Professor Ian Hickey and the Minister for Mental Health Kevin Humphries.{{cite news|last1=Jensen|first1=Erik|last2=Smith|first2=Alexander|date=17 June 2011|title=Plea for suicide campaign prompts federal support|newspaper=The Sydney Morning Herald|url=http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/plea-for-suicide-campaign-prompts-federal-support-20110616-1g62b.html}} He has hosted an annual Youth Forum in conjunction with Black Dog institute that aimed at educating students and teachers about issues relating to mental health;{{cite news|last=Karlovsky|first=Brian|date=12 April 2012|title=Mental Health on Abbotsleigh Agenda|newspaper=Hornsby and Upper North Shore Advocate|url=http://hornsby-advocate.whereilive.com.au/news/story/mental-health-on-abbotsleigh-agenda/|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120721072001/http://hornsby-advocate.whereilive.com.au/news/story/mental-health-on-abbotsleigh-agenda/|archive-date=21 July 2012|quote=The event was organised by Hornsby MP Matt Kean, local councils and the KYDS Youth Network.}} and has successfully campaigned for the construction of a new mental health inpatient facility in Hornsby.{{cite web|first=Jake|last=McCallum|title=Hornsby Hospital receives $65m in extra funding for outpatient services|archive-url=https://archive.today/20240619023851/https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/newslocal/hornsby-advocate/hornsby-hospital-receives-65m-in-extra-funding-for-outpatient-services/news-story/a50a543eac7a58f74b260253a3fc0eca?amp&nk=76689bf9f88fa0383bad9c6b21f543f1-1718764746|quote=Hornsby state Liberal MP Matt Kean announced the extra funding for the redevelopment alongside NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard.|archive-date=19 June 2024|url-status=live|url=https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/newslocal/hornsby-advocate/hornsby-hospital-receives-65m-in-extra-funding-for-outpatient-services/news-story/a50a543eac7a58f74b260253a3fc0eca?amp&nk=76689bf9f88fa0383bad9c6b21f543f1-1718764746|publisher=The Daily Telegraph|date=12 March 2019}}{{cite news|last=Murray|first=Oliver|date=8 September 2011|title=BUDGET 2011: Mental Health Unit to Receive Major Upgrade|newspaper=Hornsby and Upper North Shore Advocate|url=http://hornsby-advocate.whereilive.com.au/news/story/mental-health-unit-major-upgrade/|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20121230213236/http://hornsby-advocate.whereilive.com.au/news/story/mental-health-unit-major-upgrade/|archive-date=30 December 2012}}

Following the resignation of Mike Baird as Premier,{{cite web|last=Jacques|first=Owen|date=19 January 2017|title=Baird resigns: NSW Premier to quit top job and Parliament|url=http://m.thesatellite.com.au/news/baird-resigns-nsw-premier-quit-top-job-and-parliam/3133375/|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202002956/http://m.thesatellite.com.au/news/baird-resigns-nsw-premier-quit-top-job-and-parliam/3133375/|archive-date=2 February 2017|access-date=18 January 2017|work=The Satellite}} Gladys Berejiklian was elected as Liberal leader and sworn in as Premier.{{cite web|date=23 January 2017|title=Swearing-In of The Honourable Gladys Berejiklian MP, the 45th Premier of New South Wales, and The Honourable John Barilaro MP, Deputy Premier|url=https://www.governor.nsw.gov.au/governor/vice-regal-program/monday-23-january-2017/|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202042336/https://www.governor.nsw.gov.au/governor/vice-regal-program/monday-23-january-2017/|archive-date=2 February 2017|access-date=27 January 2017|website=Vice Regal Program|publisher=Governor of New South Wales}}{{cite web|title=Ministers|url=https://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/members/pages/ministers.aspx|access-date=27 January 2017|website=parliament.nsw.gov.au|publisher=Parliament of New South Wales}}{{cite news|last1=Clennell|first1=Andrew|date=26 January 2017|title=Premier Gladys Berejiklian plans major reshuffle for cabinet|work=The Daily Telegraph|url=http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/nsw/premier-gladys-berejiklian-plans-major-reshuffle-for-cabinet/news-story/1bb77d4e287dc82004f80186e40d18f0|access-date=27 January 2017}} The Berejiklian ministry was subsequently formed, with Kean sworn in as the Minister for Innovation and Better Regulation, with effect from 30 January 2017. Following the 2019 state election, Kean was appointed as the Minister for Energy and Environment in the second Berejiklian ministry, with effect from 2 April 2019.{{cite news|author=Sas, Nick|date=31 March 2019|title=Gladys Berejiklian says Liberal Party has no women problem as re-elected NSW Premier shuffles Cabinet|work=ABC News|location=Australia|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-03-31/cabinet-reshuffle-after-nsw-election-from-berejiklian/10956776|access-date=3 April 2019}} Kean became embroiled in controversy soon after his appointment. In one of his first acts as Energy Minister, Kean appointed former Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull inaugural chair of the government's net zero emissions advisory board. One week later Kean sacked Turnbull from the role, with Turnbull claiming Kean was pressured by right-wing media to do so.{{Cite web|last=Smith|first=Alexandra|date=2021-04-06|title=How Turnbull's new role was ended before it even began|url=https://www.smh.com.au/politics/nsw/how-turnbull-s-new-role-was-ended-before-it-even-began-20210406-p57gxx.html|access-date=2021-11-06|website=The Sydney Morning Herald|language=en}}

Matt Kean was involved in a sexting scandal in February 2018, texting Liberal MP Eleni Petinos to seek sexual intercourse while at the same time involved in a relationship with an adviser in Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull's office, Caitlin Keage. Keage subsequently shared the illicit text messages with the media, describing it as predatory behaviour by Kean.{{Cite web|last=Smith|first=Alexandra|date=2018-02-22|title='Predatory behaviour': NSW minister under fire amid cheating claims|url=https://www.smh.com.au/politics/nsw/predatory-behaviour-nsw-minister-under-fire-amid-cheating-claims-20180222-p4z1cq.html|access-date=2021-11-06|website=The Sydney Morning Herald|language=en}} NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian described Kean's conduct as extremely disappointing and Kean apologised in a media statement.{{Cite news|date=2018-02-23|title=NSW Minister under fire over explicit text messages|website=news.com.au|archive-url=https://archive.today/20240619031255/https://www.news.com.au/national/politics/nsw-minister-under-fire-over-explicit-text-messages/news-story/57ba7782b5df37e40408858ad0698ff1|archive-date=19 June 2024|url-status=live|url=https://news.com.au/national/politics/nsw-minister-under-fire-over-explicit-text-messages/news-story/57ba7782b5df37e40408858ad0698ff1|access-date=2021-11-06}} This followed an earlier relationship scandal involving Kean in 2016, when a former partner said on Facebook, then retracted, that Kean had been “screwing” one of Turnbull's advisers.{{cite news |website=news.com.au |url=https://www.news.com.au/national/nsw-act/politics/malcolm-turnbull-adviser-caitlin-keage-loses-job-over-matt-keane-sexts/news-story/0598867c1c74f5bb7067956397c6081d |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240619055653/https://www.news.com.au/national/nsw-act/politics/malcolm-turnbull-adviser-caitlin-keage-loses-job-over-matt-keane-sexts/news-story/0598867c1c74f5bb7067956397c6081d |archive-date=19 June 2024 |access-date=19 June 2024 |date=7 March 2018 |title=Malcolm Turnbull adviser Caitlin Keage loses job over Matt Kean ‘sexts’ |first=Ben |last=Graham}}

Kean was sued for defamation by car dealer Bevin Clayton, who alleged Kean falsely described him as dishonest and untrustworthy in social media posts.{{Cite news|last=Sainty|first=Lane|date=2021-05-28|archive-url=https://archive.today/20240619055324/https://www.news.com.au/national/nsw-act/politics/nsw-minister-matt-kean-sued-for-defamation-by-car-dealer-bevin-clayton/news-story/697bec6a7ca1576f09a59917b610c1f8|archive-date=19 June 2024|url-status=live|title=NSW minister Matt Kean sued for defamation by car dealer Bevin Clayton|via=news.com.au|url=https://www.news.com.au/national/nsw-act/politics/nsw-minister-matt-kean-sued-for-defamation-by-car-dealer-bevin-clayton/news-story/697bec6a7ca1576f09a59917b610c1f8|work=NCA NewsWire|access-date=2021-11-06}}

Following the resignation of Berejiklian,{{Cite news|last=Connell|first=Cecilia|date=2021-10-01|title=Why Berejiklian resigned: Everything you need to know about corruption inquiry into the departing NSW Premier|language=en-AU|work=ABC News|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-10-01/nsw-premier-gladys-berejiklian-resignation-icac-explained/100507412|archive-date=25 June 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240625055548/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-10-01/nsw-premier-gladys-berejiklian-resignation-icac-explained/100507412|url-status=live|access-date=2021-10-11}} Dominic Perrottet was elected as leader of the Liberal Party of New South Wales and sworn in as Premier.{{Cite web|title=Dominic Perrottet sworn in as new NSW Premier|url=https://www.9news.com.au/national/nsw-premier-liberal-ballot-dominic-perrottet-rob-stokes-who-will-be-state-leader/ace130e5-3c50-4e70-91e4-33442019ddaf|archive-date=25 June 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240625055923/https://www.9news.com.au/national/nsw-premier-liberal-ballot-dominic-perrottet-rob-stokes-who-will-be-state-leader/ace130e5-3c50-4e70-91e4-33442019ddaf|url-status=live|access-date=2021-10-11|work=9News|first1=Adam|last1=Vidler|first2=Freya|last2=Noble|date=5 October 2021|quote=He said Matt Kean, currently Environment Minister, would ultimately take over the Treasury portfolio.}} Kean was selected by Perrottet to succeed him as Treasurer of New South Wales, and was sworn in on 5 October 2021.{{cite news |url=https://gazette.legislation.nsw.gov.au/so/download.w3p?id=Gazette_2021_2021-507.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240619030419/https://gazette.legislation.nsw.gov.au/so/download.w3p?id=Gazette_2021_2021-507.pdf|title=Parliament, Ministerial, Courts and Police|date=5 October 2021|issue=507|work=Government Gazette of the state of New South Wales|issn=2201-7534|archive-date=19 June 2024|url-status=live}} In a December 2021 rearrangement of the Perrottet ministry, Kean was appointed as Minister for Energy, and retained the portfolio of Treasurer.{{Gazette NSW |title=Parliament, Ministerial, Courts and Police |issue=662 |date=21 December 2021 |url=https://gazette.legislation.nsw.gov.au/so/download.w3p?id=Gazette_2021_2021-662.pdf}}

Kean has said that NSW, which as of 2021 generated 70% of its electricity from coal, can stop using coal-fired power by 2030,{{Cite web|date=2021-09-10|title=NSW can 'absolutely' stop using coal power by 2030, energy minister says|url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2021/sep/10/nsw-can-absolutely-stop-using-coal-power-by-2030-energy-minister-says|archive-date=25 June 2024|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240625054731/https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2021/sep/10/nsw-can-absolutely-stop-using-coal-power-by-2030-energy-minister-says|first=Adam|last=Morton|access-date=2021-11-06|website=The Guardian|language=en}} but environmental activists point to the continued approval of new coal mines in NSW as making this unlikely, and have argued that NSW will struggle to reach its target of net zero emissions by 2050.{{Cite news|date=2021-07-29|title=NSW coal mine approvals could undo work on net-zero emissions targets, analysis suggests|language=en-AU|work=ABC News|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-07-29/nsw-coal-mine-approvals-could-undo-emissions-work-analysis-finds/100331114|access-date=2021-11-06|archive-date=25 June 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240625054508/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-07-29/nsw-coal-mine-approvals-could-undo-emissions-work-analysis-finds/100331114|url-status=live|first=Michael|last=Slezak}}

Kean has been described as a moderate Liberal,{{Cite news |date=2022-04-19 |title=Matt Kean renews call for Katherine Deves to be disendorsed in seat of Warringah |language=en-AU |work=ABC News |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-04-19/matt-kean-renews-call-for-katherine-deves-to-be-disendorsed/100998552 |quote=Mr Kean, a member of the Liberal's moderate faction, believes the controversy threatens the political fortunes of moderate federal government MPs Dave Sharma and Trent Zimmerman. |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240619025953/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-04-19/matt-kean-renews-call-for-katherine-deves-to-be-disendorsed/100998552 |archive-date=19 June 2024 |access-date=2022-04-19 |first=Heath |last=Parkes-Hupton}} and is considered to be the leader of the moderate faction of the New South Wales Liberals.{{cite web |last1=Seccombe |first1=Mike |title=How power and factionalism work in Berejikliand |url=https://www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au/news/politics/2021/07/24/how-power-and-factionalism-work-berejikliand/162704880012127#mtr |url-access=registration |archive-date=19 June 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240619025422/https://www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au/news/politics/2021/07/24/how-power-and-factionalism-work-berejikliand/162704880012127#mtr |url-status=live |work=The Saturday Paper |access-date=23 May 2022}}{{cite web |last1=Davies |first1=Anne |title=The Right stuff: why shellshocked NSW Liberal moderates are fearing factional fights |url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2022/jan/23/the-right-stuff-why-shellshocked-nsw-liberal-moderates-are-fearing-factional-fights |archive-date=19 June 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240619025430/https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2022/jan/23/the-right-stuff-why-shellshocked-nsw-liberal-moderates-are-fearing-factional-fights |url-status=live |website=The Guardian |access-date=23 May 2022}}

On 18 June 2024 Kean announced his intention to resign from the New South Wales Parliament and announced he would be moving to the private sector energy industry; Kean's resignation triggered a by-election in Kean's Hornsby seat in state parliament.{{cite news |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-06-18/former-nsw-treasurer-matt-kean-quits-politics/103993660 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240618091121/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-06-18/former-nsw-treasurer-matt-kean-quits-politics/103993660 |access-date=19 June 2024 |archive-date=18 June 2024 |work=ABC News |title=Former NSW energy minister Matt Kean announces resignation from politics|first=Jesse|last=Hyland|date=18 June 2024}}

Post-political career

On 24 June 2024 Kean was appointed chair of the Climate Change Authority by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, working to provide advice to the Australian federal government about climate policy.{{cite press release |url=https://www.pm.gov.au/media/climate-change-authority-chair-drive-benefits-households-and-businesses |title=Climate Change Authority Chair to drive benefits for households and businesses |access-date=24 June 2024 |date=24 June 2024 |archive-date=24 June 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240624031142/https://www.pm.gov.au/media/climate-change-authority-chair-drive-benefits-households-and-businesses |quote=The Albanese Government will appoint The Honourable Matt Kean as Chair of the Climate Change Authority (CCA), following the resignation of current Chair Mr Grant King. Mr King will deliver the CCA’s advice on sectoral decarbonisation pathways to support Australia’s transition to net zero, due by August 1, before his resignation takes effect in early August.|url-status=live |author1=The Hon Anthony Albanese MP |author2=The Hon Chris Bowen MP}}

Since becoming the chair of the Climate Change Authority Kean has publicly admitted that he is a skeptic of nuclear power generation, which the federal opposition Coalition is advocating for.{{cite news |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-03-10/matt-kean-nuclear-energy-liberal-party-slammed-socialist/105033754 |access-date=12 March 2025 |archive-date=12 March 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250312002925/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-03-10/matt-kean-nuclear-energy-liberal-party-slammed-socialist/105033754 |url-status=live |title=Climate Authority head Matt Kean says Liberals 'socialist' for 'nonsense' nuclear policy |date=10 March 2025 |publisher=ABC News |work=Q+A |first=Jason |last=Whittaker}}{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/feb/25/matt-kean-coalition-nuclear-energy-climate-change-authority-sack-concerning-threat-election |access-date=12 March 2025 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250302102808/https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/feb/25/matt-kean-coalition-nuclear-energy-climate-change-authority-sack-concerning-threat-election |archive-date=2 March 2025 |title=Matt Kean says suggestion Coalition could sack him if it wins election is 'concerning threat' |first1=Graham |last1=Readfern |first2=Adam |last2=Morton |date=26 February 2025 |work=The Guardian}}{{cite news |via=news.com.au |title=Incoming climate change tsar Matt Kean pours cold water on nuclear push |url=https://www.news.com.au/entertainment/tv/morning-shows/jacqui-lambie-blasts-peter-dutton-over-lack-of-detail-in-nuclear-plan/news-story/96cd523d58002e71bf91c97a71fe915e |access-date=12 March 2025 |first1=Jessica |last1=Wang |first2=Jack |last2=Quail |date=24 June 2024 |work=NewsWire}}

References

External links

{{cite NSW Parliament |id=61 |name=The Hon. (Matt) Matthew John KEAN, BBus, GradDipCA |former=Yes |accessdate=4 April 2019}}
[https://mattkean.com.au/ Personal website]

{{s-ttl|title=Member for Hornsby | years=2011{{endash}}2024}}