Media releases

Australian leaders come together for supercharged CityTalk

Published 12 October 2022

Government and industry leaders will come together next month to discuss how Australia can become a renewable energy superpower.

Sydneysiders are invited to attend the free CityTalk event, which will focus on governments, businesses and communities reaching further, acting faster and working together to help reshape Australia’s economy with sustainability at its core.

“This is an opportunity for everyone to hear about the Government’s plans to provide energy security and investment certainty, while enhancing and meeting global emission targets,” Lord Mayor Clover Moore said.

“Joining me for CityTalk will be leaders from business, finance, the community and all levels of Government including the Hon Chris Bowen MP, Minister for Climate Change and Energy.

“Together we will discuss decarbonisation and how the time is right for Australia to transition into a renewable energy superpower.

“We will also hear about actions the Federal Government will take to present a policy framework and consensus for urgent climate change.”

ABC journalist and presenter Patricia Karvelas will host the event which will take place at Sydney Town Hall on Wednesday 2 November from 6:30pm to 8:30pm.

Speakers and members of the discussion panel are:

  • Clover Moore, Lord Mayor of Sydney
  • The Hon Chris Bowen MP, Minister for Climate Change and Energy
  • The Hon Matt Kean MP, NSW Treasurer and Minister for Energy
  • David Griffin, Founder and CEO, Sun Cable - Australia - Asia Powerlink
  • Shemara Wikramanayake, Chief Executive Officer, Macquarie Group, workstream lead for the United Nations Climate Finance Leadership Initiative and Glasgow Financial Alliance for Net Zero
  • Rowan Foley, CEO, Aboriginal Carbon Foundation

“The Albanese Government has passed the first real climate change bill in a decade through Parliament, legislating our emissions reduction targets and taking meaningful action on climate change,” Mr Bowen said.

“We’ve hit the ground running, but it’s only the beginning. We’ve got a lot of catching up to do after 10 years of denial, delay and dysfunction.

“I’m looking forward to discussing at the CityTalk what the government will continue to do for all Australians in combating climate change, while boosting jobs in renewables and putting downward pressure on energy prices.”

Rowan Foley said he was looking forward to being part of the panel and sharing his views on carbon credits: “Genuine action from the Australian government means formally recognising cultural fire credits in proposed biodiversity markets and designing a system that enables high integrity Australian carbon credits.

“These actions directly address bushfires, threatened species, jobs, climate change and reconciliation. There are no longer any excuses.’

The event is the second CityTalk for 2022, a series of free City of Sydney hosted talks designed to inspire, inform and engage Sydneysiders by examining significant local, national and global issues.

CityTalk: Making Australia a renewable energy superpower Date: Wednesday 2 November Time: 6:30pm to 8:30pm Where: Centennial Hall, Sydney Town Hall

For more details on CityTalks, including previous events visit cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/talks-courses-workshops/citytalks

To register for the CityTalk: Making Australia a renewable energy superpower visit whatson.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au.

For media enquiries, contact Elaine Kelly. Phone 0477 362 550 or email ekelly@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au

For interviews with Lord Mayor Clover Moore, contact Zoe Delamare. Phone 0477 263 615 or email zdelamare@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au