This report used publicly accessible information to examine the impact of coal mining and coal-fired power generation on water in New South Wales and Queensland.

This analysis reveals that while the Australian Government is considering taxpayer support for a new coal power station to be built in Queensland, there are currently no coal power plants under construction anywhere else in Australia or North America, and only one plant being built in the Western Europe.

Victoria's brown coal-fired power plants are some of the worst performing stations in the National Electricity Market. With hot and dry conditions forecast for the rest of this summer, this paper argues that Victoria is at risk of further breakdowns of aging coal generators, insufficient supply and blackouts.

The transition away from coal is not only key to meeting climate policy objectives, but also a matter for those who are concerned with the financial stability risks that the stranding of lossmaking coal assets pose, including central banks and financial supervisors.

This report argues that the federal government should abandon its current approach of ‘big stick’ threats to the major energy companies. Instead, it should help get the electricity market back on the right track by providing clear, rules-based policies to better manage investments in transmission and closures of coal-fired power plants.