New appointments to ACT Climate Change Council

The ACT Government has appointed a new chair and general members to three-year terms on the Territory’s Climate Change Council.

The Council’s eight members are drawn from a variety of backgrounds, including energy, public health, climate change adaptation, youth matters, and social and economic sciences.

They will represent the ACT community as the Territory works towards building a climate-resilient city and achieving net zero by 2045.

The new chair is Dr Arnagretta Hunter, who is starting her second term on the committee after joining it in 2022.

“I’ve accepted this role because of the remarkable group that’s been assembled for this Council term,” said Dr Hunter.

“With diverse skills, deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities of the changing climate, along with genuine community connection I believe the Council will continue to offer frank and fearless advice framed with compassion and engagement for the ACT today and into the future.”

Stephen Mudford, previously an observer on the Council, now takes up the first of two Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander positions, while Madison Barancewicz becomes the Council’s first-ever youth member.

The new appointments are:

• Dr Arnagretta Hunter – (Chair)
• Stephen Mudford (Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Member)
• Madison Barancewicz (General Member)
• Dean Spaccavento (General Member)
• Professor Jacki Schirmer (General Member)
• Associate Professor Rebecca Colvin (General Member)
• Dr Rosemary McFarlane (General Member)
• Dr Heinz Schandl (General Member)

“The ACT Climate Change Council provides valuable, independent expertise and advice to help guide and inform the development of government climate change and energy policy,” said the Minister for Climate Change, Environment, Energy and Water Suzanne Orr.

“The ACT has an ambitious target of becoming a zero-emissions territory by 2045.

“Whilst we are making progress towards achieving this goal, there is more work to be done and we need to shift to doing things differently.”

The ACT Government intends to soon recruit a member to fill the second dedicated Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander position.