Environment Victoria congratulates outgoing Environment Minister Lily D’Ambrosio on incredible, nation leading career that transformed national energy policy
In response to news that former Victorian Minister for Climate Action, Energy and Resources and the SEC, the Hon. Lily D’Ambrosio is today retiring from politics, Environment Victoria has formally congratulated her for an incredible career as Australia’s longest serving, and arguably most effective climate and energy minister.
“When D’Ambrosio came to office, Victoria had the dirtiest power system in the country and many thought rapid decarbonisation was next to impossible. She not only proved the doubters wrong, her reforms saved Victorian households millions of dollars in the process,” said Jono La Nauze, CEO of Environment Victoria.
“In under 12 years, D’Ambrosio has driven pollution down and bills down, while ensuring the benefits of the energy transition were distributed equitably.”
“The share of renewable energy in Victoria’s electricity mix has risen from 11% to 45%, and those benefits are gaining pace. Data released by the Australian Energy Market Operator this week showed that Victoria’s power is not only the cheapest in the country, the price is dropping faster than any other state.”
“D’Ambrosio frequently led national debates that transformed Australia’s response to climate change and the energy transition. Under her leadership, Victoria put electrification on the map, grasped the nettle of an orderly closure for coal power stations and led just transition for energy workers.”
“Victoria has strong legislated targets for slashing climate pollution and switching to renewables and those targets are being achieved and beaten ahead of time. This is testament to strong, sound policy and the power of staying the course.”
“D’Ambrosio was always a master of the evidence, taking a calm and detail-oriented approach to solving wicked problems, and always putting social equity at the heart of the solutions she developed.”
“With Victoria’s renewable transformation now well underway and the cost of energy coming down, D’Ambrosio has set our state up for success. Future energy ministers now have an incredible foundation to work on as they move forward and keep tackling the ‘messy middle’ of the switch to a clean economy head on.”