New chair appointed to the Clean Energy Regulator

Minister for the Environment and Energy Josh Frydenberg has announced the appointment of David Parker AM as chair of the Clean Energy Regulator, responsible for administering legislation to reduce carbon emissions and increase the use of clean energy.

As the new head of the agency, Parker brings a wealth of experience with the Commonwealth Government as a Deputy Secretary in the Treasury, Environment and Agriculture portfolios. He has worked on some challenging policy and regulatory issues over two decades, including water reform in the Murray–Darling Basin and National Competition Policy.

Virginia Malley and Anne Brown have also been appointed to continue as members of the Regulator for three years. Malley and Brown are highly experienced in regulatory compliance and other corporate governance issues, both having previously served as chief risk officers with major private sector companies.

Frydenberg acknowledged the achievements of the outgoing chair Chloe Munro, who established the Clean Energy Regulator in 2012 and held the position of chair up until the completion of her five-year term on 31 March 2017. He said he looks forward to working with Parker, Malley, Brown and other members of the Regulator in their work to help the government meet Australia’s emissions reduction targets and Paris Agreement commitments while ensuring energy affordability and reliability.

Jody Swirepik will continue as acting chair until Parker takes up his appointment at the beginning of July.