Australian energy ministers clash over coal future as Victoria's longest‑serving minister retires

Victorian Minister for Climate Action, Energy and Resources Lily D’Ambrosio announced she will retire from politics and not contest the seat of Mill Park at the November election. D’Ambrosio, who has served since 2002 and is credited with introducing the state’s net‑zero legislation, expanding renewable energy, and keeping energy bills low, said she is stepping down after delivering policy reforms such as nation‑leading consumer protections and an offshore wind auction slated for August.

At the Australian Clean Energy Summit in Sydney, Queensland energy minister David Janetzki and New South Wales energy minister Penny Sharpe presented starkly different visions for their state grids, which remain heavily coal‑dependent. Janetzki defended extending coal generation, including coal‑seam gas, and highlighted state ownership of generation, transmission and distribution as a lever for policy. Sharpe argued that the future lies in ending fossil‑fuel reliance, expanding wind, solar and storage, and cited climate change and cost benefits, stating, “The future is not about running toward more fossil fuels.”