NSW Libs ‘blindsided’ amid Matt Kean climate change appointment and ‘betrayal’

NSW Liberals were ‘blindsided’ by Matt Kean’s rapid appointment as the Labor government’s new climate change tsar with senior figures feeling ‘betrayed’ amid the former treasurer’s ‘disloyalty’.

Matt Kean, left, joints Energy Minister Chris Bowen, centre, and Anthony Albanese before Monday’s announcement. Picture: Martin Ollman

NSW Liberals were “blindsided” by Matt Kean’s rapid appointment as the federal Labor government’s new climate change tsar, with senior figures saying they felt “betrayed” and accusing the former state treasurer of “disloyalty”.

The sudden appointment of Mr Kean – who announced his retirement from parliament after 13 years last Tuesday, the day of the state budget – as Anthony Albanese’s new Climate Change Authority chair has left former colleagues and party members “livid”.

“All party members are going crazy (at the Kean appointment),” one senior Liberal source said.

“They feel betrayed, it’s disloyal … he quits his seat, says he’s leaving to the private sector and doesn’t yet have a job.

“Then on Monday Albo has a job for him and he (Mr Kean) smashes us on nuclear.”

Mr Kean is divisive within the state and federal parties, particularly for his renewable energy stance, but he has retained influence and power within the division’s large and influential moderate faction.

Another party insider, speaking on condition of anonymity, said members were “furious and upset” with Mr Kean’s decision, and questions were being raised as to whether he could remain part of the party and as a moderate leader.

“Members I’ve spoken to are questioning whether he can perform both roles,” they said. “It’s a decision for senior moderates, but I also can’t see how he continues as a de facto moderate leader.”

Mr Kean gives his valedictory speech at NSW parliament on Friday. Picture: Tim Hunter

That source said members would ask Mr Kean when he’d been approached by the Prime Minister, and whether he made any assurances to him concerning his new role.

“He’ll be playing a part of Albanese’s renewable election commitment; it puts him in conflict with (Peter) Dutton and the federal proposal on energy reform,” they said.

Another party insider said even senior moderates were “blindsided” last week by Mr Kean’s resignation, with its timing on the day of the state budget “rubbing people the wrong way”.

“I suspect this ( announcement) wouldn’t have helped,” they said.

Another mused whether the abrupt resignation was timed for Mr Kean to beat the jump on the federal party announcing its nuclear policy the following day.

While his action has infuriated parts of the moderate faction, there appeared no rush or plans to put together a new leadership team, of which Mr Kean is part.

The former state treasurer does remain a state MP and was yet to formally exit parliament before being announced as climate tsar.

At publication, NSW Speaker Greg Piper was yet to receive Mr Kean’s resignation letter and is unable to formalise his exit and consult with the NSW Electoral Commission for a suitable date for a by-election.

Mr Kean’s new role is not slated to commence until early August.