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Government support for coal-fired power plants

25 Feb 2020

Q. Which of the following statements regarding the future of coal is closest to your view?

  Total Federal Voting Intention (Lower House)
  Labor Coalition Greens NET: Other
The government should be working to shut down mines and coal-fired power plants as soon as possible 32% 36% 21% 62% 27%
The government should let the coal mining industry and coal-fired power plants continue operating as long as they are profitable, but not subsidise them or support the expansion of the industry 47% 45% 52% 28% 50%
The government should subsidise coal-fired power plants to keep them going and provide financial support for new mines and other projects in the coal industry 21% 19% 27% 10% 22%
Base (n) 1,090 336 390 104 146
  • 47% of participants say that letting the coal mining industry and coal-fired power plants continue operating as long as they are profitable, but not subsidise them or support the expansion of the industry is closest to their view.
  • A third (32%) say working to shut down mines and coal-fired power plants as soon as possible is closest to their view, with Greens voters most likely to select that option (62%).
  • Coalition voters are most likely to say subsidising coal-fired power plants to keep them going and provide financial support for new mines and other projects in the coal industry, is closest to their view (27%).
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