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

Disclosures to the Australian Electoral Commission show Energy for Australians was a ‘significant third-party’ and declared $1,083,061 in receipts from donors – all from Coal Australia. Photograph: Energy for Australia

An “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.