Greg Hunt was appointed Minister for the Environment . Hunt , a former Fulbright scholar , and human rights and development activist with the United Nations , had held the Shadow portfolio under successive Liberal leaders . The portfolio of Climate Change was abolished . The Abbottled Opposition campaigned on a promise of replacing the Rudd-Gillard Government 's carbon pricing system with a " direct action against climate change " policy . In July 2014 , the Abbott Government followed through with this commitment , becoming the first developed nation to repeal a carbon price and foregoing government revenue of $ 24 billion from polluters through to 2020 . Prior to becoming Opposition Leader , Abbott initially supported proposals by Liberal leaders Howard and Turnbull to introduce floating prices to reduce carbon emissions , but also expressed some doubts as to the science and economics underlying such initiatives . On the eve of the 2013 election , Abbott stated during an interview on the ABC TV '' Insiders '' that : On 19 September , Hunt abolished the advisory Climate Commission , stating that this move formed " part of the Coalition 's plans to streamline government processes and avoid duplication of services " and that the Department of the Environment would take on its role . Hunt has also stated that the government will abolish the Climate Change Authority and Clean Energy Finance Corporation . In October Abbott and Hunt disputed statements from Christiana Figueres , the head of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change , that the 2013 New South Wales bushfires were probably linked to climate change and that the government 's Direct Action policy would be harmful , with Abbott stating that Figueres was " talking through her hat "
2013 New South Wales bushfires
2013 New South Wales bushfires
Abbott Government