Our Minister

The Hon. Ryan Smith MP

Minister for Environment and Climate Change
Minister for Youth Affairs

Media releases See the Victorian Government Media Centre. Contact Contact details for Minister Smith can be found on the State Parliament website.

The Minister's direction for Victoria

As the Minister for Environment and Climate Change, Ryan Smith is responsible for action to effectively manage and protect Victoria's natural environment.

Ryan's focus is on building greater community engagement and supporting local communities with practical measures.

His key portfolio areas of responsibility include:

• driving new investment in waste and recycling programs
• supporting local climate change and energy efficiency initiatives
• bushfire prevention through the planned burning program
• protection and conservation of Victoria's parks and wildlife
• management of public land, biodiversity and natural resources.

These responsibilities are administered by key agencies:

• Department of Sustainability and Environment
• Catchment Management Authorities
• Commissioner for Environmental Sustainability
• Environment Protection Authority Victoria
• Landcare Victoria
• Parks Victoria
• Sustainability Victoria
• Zoos Victoria.

Ryan was appointed Minister for Environment and Climate Change and Minister for Youth Affairs on 3 December 2010.

Before entering Parliament, Ryan's career spanned 18 years in the financial markets, working for a number of Australia's leading institutions including the Commonwealth Bank, National Australia Bank, BP Finance and Pacific Dunlop.

In 2006, he was elected the Member for Warrandyte, located in Melbourne's eastern suburbs. A passionate representative for his local community, Ryan represents the suburbs of Croydon Hills, Croydon North, Park Orchards, Ringwood, Ringwood North, Warrandyte, Warranwood and parts of Donvale.

In 2008, he was appointed the Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Environment & Arts and in 2009 he was promoted to the Shadow Cabinet as the Shadow Minister for Industrial Relations and Manufacturing.

News from the Minister

Ryan's ministerial media releases can be viewed on the Victorian Government Media Centre.

Follow him on Twitter.

Parliamentary Secretary for Sustainability and Environment, Donna Petrovich

Top | Last updated 25/10/2012