Turnbull dumped from new climate role

malcolm turnbull

Just a week after his appointment, former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull has been dumped from the role of leader of the NSW Net Zero Emissions and Clean Economy board after what Mr Turnbull calls attacks from the right-wing media system.

Energy and Environment Minister Matt Kean said Mr Turnbull would be replaced as the chair of the board as the position should not be based on personality.

“It is important that the focus is on achieving these outcomes, based on facts, technology, science, and economics. The focus should not be on personality,” he said.

“Malcolm Turnbull AC has contributed much to our country and I know will contribute more into the future.

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“However, no person’s role on the board should distract from achieving results for the NSW people or from the government’s work in delivering jobs and opportunities for the people of NSW.”

The announcement of Mr Turnbull as chair of the board was met with some opposition from Liberal and National MPs, as well as drawing criticism from the Murdoch press, which Mr Turnbull has been a staunch critic of, according to the ABC.

“There was a pretty ferocious campaign, a vendetta, really, in the characteristic way that News Corp operates,” Mr Turnbull said.

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“Its goal was to bully the state government into not appointing me chair of this net zero board.”

Premier Gladys Berejiklian was quick to defend Mr Turnbull but unfortunately his profile was “proving to be a distraction”.

The purpose of the board is to drive innovative technology and sustainable practices to reduce the state’s emissions by 35 per cent by 2030 and 100 per cent by 2050.

A new chair will be announced “in due course”, according to Minister Kean.

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