‘Independent’ group Energy for Australians that ran anti-Labor ads received more than $1m from coal lobby

"Coal Industry Lobby Group at Center of Astroturfing Scandal: Coal Australia Denies Wrongdoing. A shocking revelation has emerged in the lead-up to the last federal election, with a supposedly 'independent, community-driven association' revealed to be entirely funded by a major coal industry lobby group, Coal Australia. Energy for Australians, a group that ran anti-Labor advertisements, accepted over $1 million from Coal Australia, sparking accusations that the coal industry attempted to manipulate public opinion through a veil of grassroots support. Critics are now accusing the group of astroturfing, a tactic where corporate interests masquerade as community-led initiatives to sway public opinion. As the controversy unfolds, questions are being raised about the influence of corporate interests on Australian politics."

Coal Australia denies its donations to the ‘community-driven association’ amount to astroturfing, but critics accuse the group of misleading the publicGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastAn “independent, community-driven association” that ran anti-Labor adverts during the last federal election was entirely funded by a coal industry lobby group, the Guardian can reveal.Energy for Australians accepted more than $1m from Coal Australia – a group advocating for coal whose members include major miners Yancoal, Peabody, New Hope and Whitehaven. Continue reading...