The Squiz 

PM Anthony Albanese has named sitting NSW Liberal MP Matt Kean as the head of the Climate Change Authority – the agency responsible for giving independent climate change policy advice to the government. It’s a notable appointment because Kean has been one of the Liberal Party’s most vocal climate campaigners – making him a divisive figure within the party long before he paired up with Labor at a federal level. Yesterday, Albanese sang Kean’s praises, saying he “understands the opportunity that the transition to clean energy represents for our nation”.

But not everyone’s a fan…

Nope – he’s not getting many pats on the back from Coalition members… Yesterday, former Nationals leader Barnaby Joyce called it a “treacherous” move – particularly because Kean, who announced his intention to resign from state politics last week, isn’t set to formally exit for months. The crossover is notable because although Kean – a former NSW treasurer/energy and environment minister who was once considered a frontrunner for the state’s Liberal leadership – has been in favour of exploring nuclear power in the past, he’s firmly in the anti-nuclear/pro-renewables camp now. So his appointment – less than a week after the Coalition’s nuclear power plans were announced – is considered a political move from Albanese. But for his part, Kean says he’ll advise the government of the day, “whoever that should be”. “This is not about ideology, this is about outcomes,” he said.

Anything else?

While we’re on the topic of fresh appointments… Our incoming Governor-General Sam Mostyn – who will be sworn into the role on Monday – is set to receive a $214,000 pay bump from her predecessor David Hurley. The Albanese Government has introduced a bill to set Mostyn’s salary at $709,019 a year – which it reckons will make up for the fact she doesn’t get a military pension like Hurley, a former army officer, does. To put her salary into context, Hurley was on $495,000 annually during his 5-year term. It’s also higher than Albanese’s salary – which will rise to $607,471 next financial year. And speaking of Hurley, he’s been honoured with an official portrait as he gets ready to sign off from his time as King Charles’ Australian representative. It’s not sparking as much controversy as the King’s recent portrait, but Albanese said the painting is an ode to “a remarkable life of public service”.