Coal Australia's election fact check

Charlie Cox
Published

Coal Australia is the shadowy new group of billionaire coal bosses working overtime to swell their deep pockets and interfere with our elections. Their members include a range of multinational coal corporations like Vitrinite, Stanmore, Whitehaven, all surrounded in controversies related to their various mistreatment of water, threatened species like koalas, and our climate.

For both the Queensland Election in October last year and Federal Election in May, they joined forces with the now failed pro-nuclear lobby to create doubt and confusion in an attempt to prolong our reliance on coal and delay the critical uptake of renewable energy.

In the Queensland Election, they funnelled over a million dollars into far right think tanks and astroturf campaigns (a well funded group of individuals trying to emulate a grassroots movement) like the Australian Institute for Progress, and Australians for Prosperity. While we don't have the figures on electoral funding disclosure just yet, Coal Australia was busy with the same tactics in the recent Federal Election.

And for what? A Coalition wipe-out based largely on a rejection of the their nuclear policy and association to Trump-style politics, and an embrace of the renewable energy transition as a solution to both the climate and cost of living crises.

It's clear that Coal Australia's tactics didn't work. But that's not what you would believe if you read their weekly newsletter. We've fact checked some of their claims below:

Fact check: you can't call a loss a win

Coal Australia says:
"From an industry perspective, a majority government freed from the clutches of Greens and Teals in the Lower House provides a level of certainty, not just for coal mining communities but for industry generally."

The truth is:
Voters rejected the coal industry's biggest advocates - the Liberal Party - in favour of the renewable energy transition. The nuances of our preferential voting system had a negative impact on the Greens.

Fact check: rushing coal mine approvals

Coal Australia says:
"Coal Australia will be engaging regularly with the new government, and opposition MPs, as we seek sensible policy settings..."

The truth is:
In its first few months, Coal Australia met with the Queensland Government's Resources Cabinet Committee to push for faster coal approvals and fewer regulations - sensible for them, wildly dangerous for wildlife, the environment, and our climate.

Fact check: stockpiling massive profits
Coal Australia says:
"...we seek sensible policy settings that allow our members to continue generating prosperity for our coal communities, pay billions of dollars in taxes, and employ thousands of Australians in well-paid jobs."

The truth is:
In 2022-23, the most recent year of data available, the Australian Bureau of Statistics says "the Mining industry had the largest growth in earnings of $52.0b (23.4%)" and "the largest increase in Operating Profit Before Tax of $57.2b (31.0%)"

The Australia Institute's Chief Economist, Greg Jericho, has published excellent analysis of where the sector's profits go. These graphs are from his article:

Fact check: not a rejection of Green policies
Coal Australia says:
"The Australian voters have sent a clear message repudiating the aggressive militancy adopted by the Greens, and the absolutism of their position of no new or expanded coal mines." 		The truth is:
The Greens first preference votes went from 1,795,985 in 2022 to 1,777,800 in 2025, a 0.11% decrease.

Fact check: Get Coal Australia's money out of our democratic process
Coal Australia says:
"Thanks to all who attended [Coal Australia-funded Town Hall events pre-election]; your presence added to the democratic process."

The truth is:
Democracy goes hand in hand with integrity. In its first three months, Coal Australia contributed over $1 million to third-party organisations pushing pro-coal, anti-renewable messages. According to The Australian, this includes:

These think tanks have supported advertising campaigns that echo industry talking points and falsely promote nuclear energy as an alternative to renewables.

Fact check: saying things doesn't make them true
Coal Australia says:
"In the meantime, the support for coal continues to grow." 		The truth is:
  • 87% of Australians support government subsidies for developing renewable energy technology
  • 60% support reducing Australia’s coal exports and 59% support a ban on new coal mines domestically
  • 66% believe the government should plan to phase out coal mining entirely and transition workers to other industries
  • 74% support imposing a tax on businesses based on how much they pollute

Fact check: no thanks

Coal Australia says:
"One of our Coal Australia spies spotted this bar and grill on a visit to Adelaide last week:

 The truth is:
Not everyone is as excited Coal Australia about a future of nothing left to eat or drink but combustible rock.

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