The Smart Energy Council’s Chief Advocacy Officer Wayne Smith has announced he’ll be departing the peak renewable energy industry group after 13 years of service. 

While it is with a heavy heart that we announce that Wayne is leaving, he goes with our blessing and very deep gratitude. 

The Smart Energy Council, along with the climate, environment and renewable energy movement and sector more broadly owe Wayne a massive debt of gratitude for his highly effective advocacy, passion and intellect. 

Wayne has been instrumental in making the Smart Energy Council the most effective peak industry body in the country. 

Cliches abound in moments such as this, so let us use the go to moniker of ‘genius industry veteran’ to describe Wayne’s status. 

Alongside the Smart Energy Council Chief Executive John Grimes, Wayne has been instrumental in delivering more ambitious renewable energy and climate policy targets at the state and federal level. 

Time and again he has rallied the industry in the face of relentless industry attacks.

“Wayne has played an even greater role in developing and landing policy wins for the smart energy sector than most will ever know,” Mr Grimes said. 

“Wayne has been a constant thorn in the side of recalcitrant policy makers, and promoting business led decarbonisation of Australia’s energy and transport sectors, to great effect.” 

Wayne’s contribution to policy wins and successful battles fought for industry are too numerous to list, but the last term of government and recent election campaign serve up appropriate highlights worth mentioning: 

●     $2.3 billion Cheaper Home Battery Program

●     $25 billion Future Made in Australia agenda

●     Capacity Investment Scheme

●     New Vehicle Efficiency Standards

●     Detailed analyses of all aspects of Peter Dutton’s nuclear fantasy  

Other notable campaigns include extensive work to stop the axing of the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA), the Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC) and the Renewable Energy Target (RET), by the Abbott Government and Scott Morrison’s CoalKeeper plan to extend the life of ageing, polluting coal-fired power stations. 

“I’ve been especially privileged to have had a large international work program in my time at the Smart Energy Council, including multiple overseas delegations to China, India, Samoa and Tonga and the Smart Energy Council’s engagement process at COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan”, Wayne said. 

Mr Grimes says a replacement process for Wayne is underway, and wishes his long-time colleague and friend well. 

“Wayne says he has no plans. After a well-earned and extended rest, let’s see how long that lasts,” Mr Grimes quipped.