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.
Littleproud’s office referred Guardian Australia’s questions to National party headquarters, which did not respond before deadline.
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 flyer said the event would provide an opportunity to discuss election strategy, policy priorities and insights from polling.
Nationals MPs are among the federal parliament’s most vocal coal advocates, none more so than Queensland senator Matt Canavan, who earlier this week wrote on social media that Australia should build a new coal-fired power station.
The regionally focused party has received donations from other fossil fuel interests over the years, including the Minerals Council of Australia.
Political fundraisers are occurring with increasing frequency as the major parties build war chests for the election, which will be held in May.
Coal Australia was founded in August 2024 to specifically advocate for coal interests, and has 10 members: Bowen Coking Coal, Whitehaven, Peabody, New Hope Group, Yancoal, Kestrel Coal, QMetco Limited, Stanmore, Terracom and Vitrinite.
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The chief executive of Coal Australia, Stuart Bocking, said the group attended fundraisers for all the major parties and would continue to do so.
“We support those who stand up for coal communities and the prosperity they deliver for all Australians,” Bocking said.
There is no record of Coal Australia donating to the federal National party, although the latest disclosures only cover the 2023-24 financial year, which predated the group’s formation.
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.