Hugh Durrant-Whyte is holding the poison chalice at the NSW Net Zero Emissions and Clean Economy Board

The state’s chief scientist and engineer is acting chair, following the dumping of Malcolm Turnbull, who was the state government’s nominee for the job, until he wasn’t.

Energy and Environment Minister Matt Keane’s lame explanation why – “the focus should not be on personality,” – may mean Professor Durrant-Whyte is in the job for a while, until Mr Keane finds somebody with a personality acceptably absent.