The Australian Conservation Foundation has congratulated Malcolm Turnbull, who will be the first former Environment Minister to become Prime Minister.
“As a former Environment Minister Malcolm Turnbull knows intimately the depth of Australia’s environmental challenges as well as the exciting opportunities we face in growing a clean economy,” said ACF’s CEO Kelly O’Shanassy.
“When he was Environment Minister Mr Turnbull demonstrated his keen understanding of water, climate change and sustainable living issues.
“Mr Turnbull’s insight that disruption is our friend if we are agile and smart enough to take advantage of it is greatly encouraging, as Australia faces a major energy transition, needing to shift away from our reliance on coal and make the most of renewable energy.
“The Australian community overwhelmingly supports clean energy and wants to see deep cuts to the pollution that is causing global warming.
“Polling this year showed a large majority of Australians want our government to plan for old coal-fired power plants to be closed and replaced with clean energy.
“I urge Mr Turnbull to listen to the Australian community, not to a handful of big polluting companies, on this most important issue.
“Like Mr Turnbull I believe Australia must be a nation that is agile, innovative and creative; there is no sector of our economy that is more exciting than renewable energy.
“Good economic management means not polluting and damaging the environment, which is the source of our clean air and water and underpins life in Australia.
“The need for a rapid transition from dirty dangerous energy to clean renewable energy is at the heart of Australia’s economic challenges. Setting strong targets to cut pollution is central to achieving this.
“I congratulate Mr Turnbull on becoming Prime Minister and look forward to working together with him and his government to make the most of Australia’s great opportunities in clean energy and in protecting our communities and unique landscapes and wildlife.”
