Australian governments subsidising fossil fuel use by more than $30,000 a minute, analysis finds

Using government budget papers and announcements, the Australia Institute analysis found national financial support for fossil fuels was expected to grow by 9.4% in 2025-26 to a total of $16.3bn. Photograph: Mick Tsikas/Reuters

Australian federal and state government subsidies that encourage fossil fuel use and help drive the climate crisis will reach $16.3bn this year after leaping by nearly 10%, according to a new analysis.

It found federal and state governments will pay or forgo the equivalent of $31,020 each minute in 2025-26 to subsidise companies producing and using coal, gas and especially oil, mostly in the form of diesel.