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Politics is about persuading voters about priorities.
To do so, facts are important, but they can also be misused in an attempt to win the debate.
Here the facts fight back. This site presents the facts to help keep the debate clean and to persuade politicians and others to stick to the facts.
Home   /   Mining
Would we "go broke" without coal? > Check the facts

Would we “go broke” without coal? > Check the facts

March 3, 2015
Mining

Agriculture Minister Barnaby Joyce has said that without coal “we go broke”. Would Australia, or any particular state encounter serious fiscal difficulty if coal production…

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Could new coal technology mean more coal will be burned? > Check the facts

Could new coal technology mean more coal will be burned? > Check the facts

December 4, 2014
Mining

Following new climate targets from the US, China and the EU, and the beginning of the UN climate talks in Lima, the World Coal Association…

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Is carbon capture and storage a "genuine solution" to climate change? > Check the facts

Is carbon capture and storage a “genuine solution” to climate change? > Check the facts

October 10, 2014
Environment

This week an editorial in the Australian Financial Review criticised a decision by the Australian National University to end its investments in some fossil fuel…

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Did coal help Australia through the GFC? > Check the facts

Did coal help Australia through the GFC? > Check the facts

September 17, 2014
Economy

The Sydney Morning Herald said on Wednesday that “hunger for Australian coal helped power the nation through the global financial crisis.” Mining was not the…

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Coal jobs > Check the facts

Coal jobs > Check the facts

July 23, 2014
Economy, Society

Recent reports from the ABC and in the Australian, including a map of selected mines have outlined heavy job losses in Australia’s coal sector, specifically…

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Was the carbon price partly responsible for the closure of the Wilkie Creek coal mine? > Check the facts

Was the carbon price partly responsible for the closure of the Wilkie Creek coal mine? > Check the facts

December 9, 2013
Economy

Who: “Whilst the carbon tax was not a primary cause of the closure, it represents a substantial burden on an export-driven mine.” A company spokeswoman…

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Is unemployment in the mining industry soaring? > Check the facts

Is unemployment in the mining industry soaring? > Check the facts

September 26, 2013
Economy

Who: Unemployment in the mining industry is over 10%, causing “considerable pain and disruption within the professional ranks of the minerals sector”.  The Australasian Institute…

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Has red tape cost South Australia 80 years of prosperity? > Check the facts

Has red tape cost South Australia 80 years of prosperity? > Check the facts

September 20, 2013
Economy

Who: “We lost 80 years of prosperity for a whole state because of seven years of approvals which were unfinished.” Andrew Robb, South Australia Minister for…

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Is the mining industry the largest Indigenous employer? > Check the facts

Is the mining industry the largest Indigenous employer? > Check the facts

July 16, 2013
Economy, Society

Who:“We are now the largest Indigenous employer in Australia” Mitch Hooke, Chief Executive of the Minerals Council of Australia. The claim: The mining industry is…

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Is mining Tasmania’s major employer? > Check the facts

Is mining Tasmania’s major employer? > Check the facts

June 25, 2013
Economy

Who: “The mining sector is Tasmania’s major employer after significant growth in the past two years, Deputy Premier Bryan Green says.” The Mercury. The Claim: The…

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Why

Between elections governments are held to account through debate. This debate takes place in the parliament, media, in workplaces, at BBQs and parties, around the kitchen table and online.
Politicians, pundits and interest groups attempt to influence the debate and persuade us which side of the debate to take.

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Should the Australian government encourage renewable forms of energy or do we need to support fossil fuels? Is returning the budget back to surplus the number one priority and if so should be decrease spending or increase revenue? Should we focus on industrial relations or indigenous recognition?

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There are, of course, no right answers to such questions. But to use the complexity of a policy issue to cloud debate with half-truths and misrepresentation of the facts to win the debate undermines the democratic accountability of government.

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The media plays an important role in presenting an even handed account of the debate and ensuring a range of voices are heard. In turn politicians are keen to influence the debate through the media's reporting. Undue influence risks silencing some voices from the debate.
As the political debates continue Facts Fight Back will provide a timely and accessible source of information to help keep the debate clean and and ensure the public, journalists and the politicians themselves keep track of who is sticking to the facts.

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