Annastacia Palaszczuk appointed international ambassador to Smart Energy Council
Annastacia Palaszczuk has officially been announced as international ambassador of the Smart Energy Council, her first role since quitting as premier.
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Annastacia Palaszczuk will become an international ambassador for the Smart Energy Council, her first role since quitting as premier in December.
The Courier-Mail can reveal Ms Palaszczuk’s new job with the council – an advocacy group focused on accelerating the nation’s transition to net-zero carbon emissions – will be announced on Wednesday.
Her first project as the Smart Energy Council’s international ambassador will be leading the council’s delegation to China on June 10.
Ms Palaszczuk will join the Canberra-based council, which counts Climate 200 founder and political activist Simon Holmes à Court on its board.
In the note, Smart Energy Council said the former premier was not expected to have any formal engagement with the Queensland government in her role.
The council said Ms Palaszczuk would use her “passionate commitment to renewable energy and net zero emissions” to build partnerships between Australia and other countries.
“I have always had the greatest respect for the work of the Smart Energy Council. I admire their passion and commitment to building a smart energy future,” she said.
“Australia can and must be a renewables and critical minerals powerhouse, working closely with other nations to help decarbonise the global economy, and with the Smart Energy Council.”
Chief executive John Grimes said the former premier would be an asset to the organisation.
“Annastacia is a great Australian, with an extraordinary record of service and achievement,” Mr Grimes said.
“I know she will be a powerful voice for Australia’s smart energy industry as we strengthen our industry partnerships across the globe.”
It is the first post-politics job for the former premier after 18 years in the Queensland Parliament.
She quit in December following pressure from unions and Labor Party heavyweights.
Last month Ms Palaszczuk engaged celebrity agent Max Markson to help build a career on the speaking circuit.
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