A recent survey of voters in western Sydney and surrounding electorates indicates significant support for maintaining and expanding coal-fired power generation in New South Wales, despite the federal Labor government's climate policies. The poll, conducted by Compass on behalf of Affordable Energy Australia and commissioned by the Coalition for Conservation, included 12 seats across Sydney, from inner-city areas like Grayndler to suburbs such as Parramatta, Bankstown, Campbelltown, and the outer southwest.

In the electorate of McMahon, represented by Climate Minister Chris Bowen, 78 percent of respondents favored keeping existing coal power plants operational until alternative energy sources are ready, while 80 percent supported the construction of new coal plants. Similarly, in Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s seat of Grayndler, 82 percent of voters supported the continued operation of existing coal plants, and 63 percent backed building new ones.

Support for coal power was widespread across the surveyed electorates, encompassing a substantial portion of traditional Labor supporters. The poll also revealed a lack of confidence in the government’s handling of energy prices. About 65 percent of respondents, including 41 percent identifying as Labor voters, felt Canberra was not doing enough to reduce power costs. Overall, only 27 percent of those surveyed expressed trust in the Labor government’s ability to lower energy bills. This sentiment comes amid years of rising power prices and the government’s unfulfilled pledge to cut energy bills by $275 annually.

Greens voters formed the main exception to pro-coal sentiment, as they did not show majority support for constructing new coal plants, though 66 percent agreed that existing coal facilities should remain operational.

Affordable Energy Australia's Zoe Hilton commented on the findings, emphasizing the importance of affordability and reliability for consumers facing rising energy costs. Hilton suggested that energy policy should prioritize practical outcomes over ideological commitments, reflecting the voters’ message that all options, including coal, must be considered to secure lower energy bills.

The survey results highlight ongoing tensions between the Labor government’s climate ambitions and public concerns about energy affordability and reliability in New South Wales. Supporters of coal power argue that a pragmatic approach is necessary to address current challenges in the energy market, while those advocating for a transition away from fossil fuels stress the importance of meeting environmental targets and investing in renewable sources.