The Clean Energy Regulator (CER) was established by the Clean Energy Regulator Act 2011.
It is a non-corporate Commonwealth entity under the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013.
CER is led by Mr David Parker, Chief Executive Officer.
Portfolio Ministers
The Hon Chris Bowen MP
Minister for Climate Change and Energy
Member for McMahon
The minister appoints the Chair and Regulator members under the Clean Energy Regulator Act 2011.
The Regulator is a decision-making body responsible for determining the Clean Energy Regulator's strategic objectives and policies. These underpin our operation and performance to ensure we function effectively.
Members must have significant experience or knowledge in fields relevant to us. As well as their general responsibilities, each member also applies their expertise to an area of focus. Members give updates on their area of focus at each Regulator meeting.
The Chair holds office on a full-time basis. All other members hold office on a part-time basis.
The Regulator
The Regulator is an independent statutory authority. It is currently made up of the Chair and 3 members. They set the strategic direction for how we administer regulatory schemes.
We support the regulator to administer schemes and deliver high quality services to our clients and stakeholders.
Current members
Mr David Parker AM, Chair
David Parker was appointed Chair of the Clean Energy Regulator on 3 July 2017.
Mr Parker has over 20 years experience in economics, public administration and policy and regulatory matters.
Before joining the agency, Mr Parker was Deputy Secretary at the Department of Agriculture and Water Resources, the Department of Environment and Energy, and Treasury. He also worked at the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development in Paris.
Mr Parker has qualifications in economics and law. He has been a Member of the Order of Australia since 2012.
David Parker's 2nd term will end on 2 July 2026.
Mr John Kettle, Member
Focus: the Australian renewable energy sector, especially competition, international trade and regulated industries.
Mr Kettle has over 30 years experience as a corporate, competition, trade and energy lawyer in Ireland, the UK, the EU and Australia. He now runs the international corporate, competition, trade and energy law practice at McCullough Robertson.
Mr Kettle's clients include government, state-owned companies, private equity, multinationals and financiers in energy and network markets. He is a frequent speaker at legal and industry seminars and conferences in Australia and overseas.
Mr Kettle is a graduate of both Trinity College Dublin (LL.B) and Oxford University (BCL).
Mr Kettle's term ends on 3 April 2025.
Mr Charles Kiefel AM, Member
Focus: corporate finance, private equity, superannuation and funds management sectors.
Mr Kiefel has extensive knowledge and experience in corporate finance, private equity, superannuation and funds management. He is the chairman of The Principals Funds Management, a private company focused on the wholesale investment sector.
Mr Kiefel has held financial advisory and asset management leadership roles with Lazard Brothers & Co Limited in London and Lazard Freres in New York. He was the Managing Director of Corporate Finance at the ANZ Investment Bank and Director of Corporate Finance with Ord Minnett.
He has been a non-executive director of the not-for-profit Menzies Foundation for 28 years and held board positions with Pacific Equity Partners and CHAMP LBO Private Equity Fund. Mr Kiefel also served for 10 years as Chairman of the Military Superannuation and Benefits Board of Trustees No 1.
Mr Kiefel was awarded the Order of Australia Medal (OAM) in 2009 and in 2019.
Mr Kiefel's term ends on 23 November 2024.
Ms Kate Vidgen, Member
Focus: renewable energy and transition.
Ms Vidgen is the Global Head of Industrial Transition and Clean Fuels for the Green Investment Group (GIG). She is focused on energy and clean energy transitions.
Ms Vidgen has a range of experience across infrastructure, utilities and telecommunications. She has held roles at Macquarie and as a solicitor specialising in the energy sector and project finance.
She is the Chair of the Macquarie Group Climate Solutions Taskforce and sits on the board of its portfolio companies:
- Atlas Agro, a green ammonia developer with projects in the US and Brazil, the Hydrogen Chemistry Company in the Netherlands
- SkyNRG, a sustainable aviation fuels company with projects in both Europe and the US.
Ms Vidgen supports a number of not-for-profit and industry associations including sitting on the Council of Bond University in Queensland. She is a strong supporter of diversity and is a member of Queensland Chapter of Chief Executive Women and was a prior Victorian Chair and National Board Member.
Ms Vidgen has a Bachelor of Laws (Hons) and a Bachelor of Arts from Bond University. She is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Ms Vidgen's term ends on 20 May 2024.
Former members
Mr Michael D’Ascenzo AO, Member
2 April 2013 to 25 February 2022.
Dr Peter Davis, Member
18 January 2016 to 17 July 2021.
Ms Anne Brown, Member
4 June 2012 to 2 December 2020.
Ms Virginia Malley, Member
4 June 2012 to 2 December 2020.
Ms Jody Swirepik, Acting Chair
1 April 2017 to 1 July 2017.
Ms Chloe Munro AO, Chair
2 April 2012 to 31 March 2017.
Dr Michael Sargent AM, Member
2 April 2012 to 24 January 2015.
Ms Jennie Granger, Member
2 April 2012 to 14 September 2012.