Matt Kean: Student climate strike activists meet in minister’s office
Farmers and crossbench MPs have slammed Energy Minister Matt Kean for meeting with climate strike activists in his Parliament House office.
NSW
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NSW Energy and Environment Minister Matt Kean has “endorsed” student climate activist demands for NSW to pull out of gas and instead back projects “transitioning the economy to 100 per cent renewable energy by 2030”, directly contradicting his own government’s gas policies.
Photographs of Mr Kean posing with School Strike 4 Climate children holding up placards saying “Fund Our Future Not Gas” in his NSW Parliamentary offices have emerged in activist newsletters.
It puts him at odds with Premier Gladys Berejiklian’s backing of gas projects like Narrabri and has raised the ire of local Narrabri farmers, who say Mr Kean shouldn’t be “meddling” with anti-gas protesters.
The students later tweeted after their September 24 meeting they were “super excited that @Matt Kean MP has endorsed our day of action and its demands!”.
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School Strike organisers demands, issued on September 25, include “no public funds for gas” and “projects that transition our economy and communities to 100 per cent renewable energy by 2030, through expanded public ownership”.
The happy snaps of Mr Kean smiling with the students were emailed out to supporters with the caption: “Here is a photo of some of us meeting with Matt Keen (sic), NSW Minister Energy and Environment, who endorsed the Sept 25th demands!”
Questioned about possible contradictions in his gas policies, Mr Kean said: “I will always support and encourage young people to get involved in our democracy.
“Gas is an important part of our economy. I support the Narrabri project, which is being led by the private sector.” At the start of this year the Berejiklian Government struck a massive $2 billion deal with the federal Government, signed by Mr Kean, to increase gas supply in NSW, and has publicly backed the $3.6 billion Narrabri gas project.
One Nation MP Mark Latham questioned the “renegade” actions of Mr Kean, asking how he could go against his government’s policies, arguing Cabinet solidarity would require him to support gas.
“As a minister you don’t normally be photographed with signs unless you’re comfortable with them,” Mr Latham said.
“I don’t see how a minister acting in this renegade fashion can stay a minister.
“He should be telling the students to stay in school and that without gas peaking plants, and going 100 per cent renewable, is a recipe for blackouts and economic disaster.”
Mr Kean landed in hot water several weeks ago for talking down the future of gas, including claiming the Narrabri project was “a big gamble” and poor investment in the long term.
Narrabri farmer Murray Scott was disappointed that Mr Kean would be photographed with protesters holding anti-gas placards.
“Everyone in Narrabri knows how important this gas field is for the town,” Mr Scott said.
“The kids need to stick at school and not worry about what’s happening out here.”
Narrabri real estate agent Rob Gilbert said Mr Kean “should know what is going on out here” and not be meddling in a decision that “is done and dusted”.
He said the energy minister “doesn’t give a rat’s arse about how the country feels about it or how the people of Narrabri feel about it”.
Shooters, Fishers and Farmers MP Robert Borsak said Mr Kean’s comments regarding 100 per cent zero emissions by 2030 was “an indication that the Liberal Party and their camp followers the Nationals have completely sold out to the Green’s agenda of human induced climate change”.
“In the end it’s about a grab for green left votes in the north shore, eastern suburbs and other Liberal seats in an effort to stave off elitists who are not affected by the cost of living that these woke policies have,” he said.
Originally published as Matt Kean: Student climate strike activists meet in minister’s office