A coal lobby group encouraged its members to attend a political fundraiser with the Nationals leader, David Littleproud, in the lead-up to a federal election that would “decide the future” of the industry.

The fundraising dinner with Littleproud was scheduled for Wednesday night, according to promotional material circulated by Coal Australia.

The group confirmed it was attending a fundraiser, which it said was organised by the National party.


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The flyer said the upcoming election would “determine the future of Australia’s coal industry”.

“Federal polling shows a tight contest, with Green and teal crossbenchers aiming to prop up a Labor minority government – one that has consistently undermined the nation’s productive sectors for political gain.

“These Green and teal candidates are well-funded, backed by industry groups and wealthy investors in large-scale wind and solar projects, determined to shape Australia’s economy in their image.

“We cannot afford another three years of uncertainty – cancelled projects, rising taxes, and relentless attacks on the industries that keep Australia strong.”

The event material, seen by Guardian Australia, said the upcoming election would “determine the future of Australia’s coal industry”.

“Federal polling shows a tight contest, with Green and teal crossbenchers aiming to prop up a Labor minority government – one that has consistently undermined the nation’s productive sectors for political gain.

“These Green and teal candidates are well-funded, backed by industry groups and wealthy investors in large-scale wind and solar projects, determined to shape Australia’s economy in their image.

“We cannot afford another three years of uncertainty – cancelled projects, rising taxes, and relentless attacks on the industries that keep Australia strong.”

The coal industry fundraiser comes a week after Cyclone Alfred threatened to wreak havoc on Littleproud’s home state of Queensland, pushing the issue of climate breakdown and its impact on natural disasters on to the federal election agenda.

The prime minister, Anthony Albanese, said while Australia had always had natural disasters it was clear global heating was “having an impact on our weather patterns”.

The debate also prompted renewed scrutiny of Labor’s policies, including its approval of coal mining projects in the past three years.

Asked on Sunday if the government would continue to approve such projects, Labor frontbencher Murray Watt said each application would be assessed on its merits before insisting Labor’s focus was on its “massive” investment in renewables.
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