Climate Change Authority chair Bernie Fraser resigned on Tuesday, the agency, an advisory body to the Australian government, said Tuesday.

Fraser, a former governor of Australia’s Reserve Bank, has chaired the CCA since it was set up by the former Labor government in July 2012 to advise the government on emission reduction targets and carbon budgets, as well as the Renewable Energy Target and the Carbon Farming Initiative.

However, the current coalition government has tried to abolish the Authority and has ignored every single recommendation on climate change policy it has offered since the government took office in 2013.

The CCA advised the government to set a target of reducing GHG emissions 30% below 2000 levels by 2025, and 40-60% by 2030, but instead the government opted for the less ambitious target of a 26-28% reduction by 2030 based on 2005 levels.

“Arrangements have been made to ensure the Authority’s work will continue uninterrupted,” the CCA said in a statement.

“He has had an outstanding career in public service, which I deeply respect and acknowledge,” Environment Minister Greg Hunt said.

“In particular, I thank Mr. Fraser for his assistance with the crossbench in the passage of the Emissions Reduction Fund.”

By Stian Reklev – stian@carbon-pulse.com

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