As he announced his departure,Kean was joined by his partner Wendy and son,Tom,along with Liberal leader Mark Speakman,MPs Felicity Wilson and Eleni Petinos,and NSW Liberal Party state director Richard Shields. He did not intend on returning to parliament for the August sitting week.
Kean declined to say whether he had spoken to any companies,only saying repeatedly he did not have “anything finalised”.
![Former treasurer Matt Kean.](https://static.ffx.io/images/$width_300%2C$height_150/t_crop_auto/t_sharpen%2Cq_auto%2Cf_auto/f1f8fa1ec21d608e87425dd94890f383f70c86fc)
Former treasurer Matt Kean.Flavio Brancaleone
“Nothing’s been finalised. I intend on pursuing a career in the private sector. I’ll have discussions that I’m looking forward to,opportunities that might come in the private sector to drive the energy transition,” he said.
He did not nominate a successor for his safe seat of Hornsby,saying it was a matter for Liberal Party branch members. His sudden resignation surprised many,with insiders believing it was Kean’s long-time colleague and former premier Dominic Perrottet who would be the first Liberal MP to announce their exit.
Kean was elected as the member for Hornsby in the Coalition’s 2011 landslide election win. He made his name after being appointed by former premier Gladys Berejiklian to the environment portfolio initially,before being handed responsibility for energy and climate.