The Hon Chris Bowen MP   
Minister for Climate Change and Energy
'Australia’s energy choice in the critical decade'
The Hon Chris Bowen MP, Minister for Climate Change and Energy will Address the National Press Club of Australia on 'Australia’s energy choice in the critical decade'.

Chris Bowen is the Minister for Climate Change and Energy in the Albanese Government.

In the two years since the 2022 election, Chris has begun the overdue work of deploying cheaper and cleaner energy across the economy and positioning Australia as a renewable energy superpower.

The Albanese Government’s Reliable Renewables Plan is delivering the reliable, affordable and low-emissions energy system Australians deserve, including the Capacity Investment Scheme to fast track the renewables pipeline. Safeguard Mechanism reforms now drive down emissions from our biggest emitters; new vehicle efficiency standards mean more choice of cleaner, cheaper to run cars; critical domestic supplies of gas have been secured to support the energy transformation; and two rounds of consumer Energy Bill Relief have helped with cost-of-living pressures. Now the Albanese Government’s Future Made in Australia promises to make the economy more prosperous and resilient, ensuring Australians benefit from the global energy transformation.

Chris grew up in Smithfield in Western Sydney, attending Smithfield Public School and St Johns Park High School. He graduated from the University of Sydney with a Bachelor of Economics. He has also a Master’s Degree in International Relations and a Diploma in Modern Languages (Bahasa Indonesia).

He joined the Labor Party in 1988 and was elected to Fairfield Council in 1995, serving as Mayor of Fairfield for 1998 and 1999.  Chris entered Parliament in 2004 and has held a wide range of portfolios including also serving as Treasurer, Minister for Human Services, Minister for Immigration, and Minister for Small Business.