Coal Industry Lobby Group Dominates Political Funding with $5.4m Donations
New analysis of political disclosures has revealed that the coal industry lobby group Coal Australia made almost $5.4 million in political donations during the 2024-25 financial year, with the vast majority flowing to a single campaign organisation that targeted progressive candidates in the last federal election.
Australians for Prosperity: The Primary Beneficiary
According to documents filed with the Australian Electoral Commission, the biggest recipient of Coal Australia's political funding was Australians for Prosperity, a campaign group that spent heavily on attack advertisements against Labor, the Greens, and teal independent candidates during the election period.
The disclosures show Australians for Prosperity received $3.89 million in total political receipts during the last financial year, with an astonishing $3.68 million of that amount coming directly from Coal Australia. This represents approximately 94% of the group's declared political income.
Breaking Down the Funding Streams
The electoral commission data reveals the specific breakdown of Coal Australia's contributions to Australians for Prosperity:
- $2,738,026 in direct donations from Coal Australia
- $940,000 in "other receipts" from the coal industry group
During the federal election campaign, Guardian Australia analysis showed the group spent $414,903 on online advertisements specifically targeting Greens candidates, independents, and Labor representatives.
Political Connections and Campaign Strategy
Australians for Prosperity maintains strong connections to the Liberal party, with former Liberal MP Jason Falinski serving as the group's spokesperson during last year's general election. The current spokesperson is Caroline Di Russo, the Western Australian Liberal party president and a regular commentator on Sky News.
In response to the disclosures, Falinski expressed surprise at the extent of Coal Australia's funding, stating: "I knew we were getting some money [from Coal Australia] but I had no idea of the quantum or what the percentage was."
He added: "I would have been concerned if my name was put on campaigns that were pro-coal or pro-fossil fuels because I am not in favour of sectorial interests. I'm in favour of cleaner and cheaper energy for all Australians."
Broader Political Donations Revealed
Beyond the substantial funding to Australians for Prosperity, Coal Australia also declared $239,650 in donations to established political parties, with the majority flowing to conservative organisations:
- The Nationals received $131,000
- Queensland's Liberal National party obtained $84,500
- The federal Liberals were given $10,000
- Various Labor branches received a combined $12,500
Industry Perspective and Criticism
Coal Australia, which launched in 2024 and describes itself as funded by membership fees from coal producers, suppliers, and customers, defended its political engagement. Chief executive Stuart Bocking stated the organisation aims to "give a voice, not just to our coal mining communities, but to every Australian household and business that now opens their power bill with a sense of genuine trepidation."
Bocking argued that "democracy thrives on voters getting a cross-section of information to ensure we have sensible policy settings based in fact and reality, rather than hope and ideology," and maintained that coal would remain part of Australia's energy mix "until at least 2049."
Climate Advocacy Response
Climate campaigners have strongly criticised the funding revelations. Byron Fay, executive director of Climate 200 – the group that backed many independent candidates targeted by Australians for Prosperity – accused the organisation of having "received millions of dollars from Coal Australia to run disinformation campaigns targeting climate friendly independents in the lead up to the last election."
Michael Mazengarb, head of corporate accountability at Climate Integrity, described the disclosures as evidence of a "clear attempt" to influence the federal election, highlighting the problematic timing of such revelations: "A fundamental problem is that we only get this data eight months after the election and that's too late because people have already cast their votes."
Organisational Defence and Future Implications
Australians for Prosperity issued a statement claiming it had received $3.89 million from more than 420 donors across Australia during 2024-25, which it said reflected "the scale of support behind a movement focused on lifting living standards and restoring economic opportunity."
Spokesperson Caroline Di Russo declined to answer specific questions about the Coal Australia funding but emphasised the group's core philosophy: "Australians deserve a nation where they can keep more of what they earn, families can get ahead and government gets out of the way. That is what we stand for. That is what we will continue to stand for."
The disclosures have raised significant questions about political transparency, industry influence in Australian democracy, and the timing of donation revelations relative to election cycles, with campaigners calling for more timely disclosure requirements to ensure voters have complete information before casting their ballots.
