Outgoing secretary of Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action praised for ‘nation-leading climate action’

The head of the department has abruptly resigned as the state pushes to overhaul the energy network in one of the biggest transitions in history, taking on controversial transmission, solar and wind projects.

The boss of Victoria’s energy and climate department has resigned as the state continues to struggle with its controversial transition into renewable energies.

Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action secretary John Bradley, has officially quit the top job, telling the state government he will stay on until September after eight years in the job.

John Bradley will finish in the job in September.

It comes as the state is pushing to overhaul the state’s energy network in one of the biggest transitions in history, taking on controversial transmission, solar and wind projects to help replace fossil fuels to power Victorian homes and businesses.

In a statement on Thursday Victorian Energy Minister Lily D’Ambrosio said:

“Mr Bradley’s hard work has helped better the lives of Victorian people and he has fostered an inclusive and diverse workplace in which his staff could thrive.”

“Mr Bradley has been integral to delivering significant policy outcomes for the Victorian Government, including overseeing the transition of Victoria’s energy sector and taking nation-leading climate action.”

David Davis, Shadow Minister for Energy and Resources said is a “respected” public servant, but that his resignation was not a good indicator for the government.

“There is little doubt that the disastrous policies driven by Lily D’Ambrosio have left Victoria vulnerable, indeed seriously exposed, with Labor now it its eleventh year,” he said.

The state Labor government has set tough emissions reduction targets of 75 to 80 per cent by 2035 and “net zero” by 2045.

This effectively means the amount of greenhouse gas emissions produced by human activity in the state in 2045 will be offset by the same amount taken out of the atmosphere.

Mr Bradley’s departure announcement comes only days after the Allan government’s backdown on gas policies.

Under the new draft hundreds of thousands of Victorians will no longer have to switch gas heating systems to electric models when they expire.

Hot water systems that reach their end of life will have to be replaced with efficient electric appliances, such as heat pumps, under a watered-down plan to phase out household gas — but with exemptions if installation is too expensive.

Landlords will face tougher rules — albeit with the same exemption — with the government saying they have to replace gas heaters at their end of life with reverse-cycle air conditioners.

It also comes after the state introduced new legislation to slap landholders with penalties of more 12,000 if they tried to hinder work on controversial transmission line projects.

The new penalty comes as the state continues to roll out the Western Renewables Link and VNI West Interconnector transmission lines in western Victoria where it has met huge opposition.

Originally published as Outgoing secretary of Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action praised for ‘nation-leading climate action’