Essential Report
Views towards government action regarding coal-fired power plants
Q. Which of the following statements regarding the future of coal is closest to your view?
Nov’20 | Feb’20 | |
The government should be working to shut down mines and coal-fired power plants as soon as possible | 31% | 32% |
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 | 52% | 47% |
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 | 17% | 21% |
Base (n) | 1,034 | 1,090 |
- Compared to earlier this year, fewer people think 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 (17% in November, compared to 21% in February).
- Consequently, more people now think 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% to 52%).
- The proportion of those preferring the immediate closure of coal-fired power plants has remained constant.

COVID-19 RESEARCH
Read Essential's ongoing research on the public response to Covid-19.
Essential Report
In this week's report:
- Performance of Scott Morrison
- Performance of Anthony Albanese
- Preferred Prime Minister
- Views towards re-electing the federal Coalition government
- Party trust to handle issues
- Importance of Australia’s international reputation
- Scott Morrison’s impact on Australia’s international reputation
- Views towards Australia’s international reputation
Sign up for updates
Receive the Essential Report in your inbox.Essential Tags
2PP
Abbott
ALP
Anthony Albanese
Approval of opposition leader
Approval of Tony Abbott
asylum seekers
Australian economy
Bill Shorten
Carbon Tax
climate change
coronavirus
covid-19
economy
Education
Election
EMC
environment
ER
Essential Media
Essential Report
Federal Budget
Federal Government
federal politics
Gillard
Greens
Julia Gillard
kevin rudd
Labor
Labor Party
Liberal
Liberal Party
Liberals
mining
Nationals
Opposition leader
peter lewis
Polling
polls
Prime Minister
Scott Morrison
tony abbott
two party preferred
voting
Voting intention
Recent Comments
