A majority of NSW voters, and a clear majority of Labor voters, want the NSW Parliament to respect High Court rulings when they make development judgements and let the independent planning process decide the outcome. That is the central finding of a YouGov statewide poll of 1,289 NSW voters 27 October – 2 November 2026 commissioned by Lock the Gate and The Sunrise Project Australia.
Context
In October, the High Court upheld the invalidation of MACH Energy’s Mount Pleasant expansion approval, finding the Independent Planning Commission failed to properly consider conditions to minimise emissions from the coal when burned overseas . The Government’s special bill now plans to circumvent this process and authorise the mine expansion outside the current planning framework.
Respect High Court development rulings and let the planning process decide
54% of all voters and 61% of Labor voters say Parliament should accept High Court rulings in circumstances like this and let the normal independent planning process continue. Only 16% of all voters and 15% of Labor voters, say Parliament should pass a law to allow a project anyway after such a ruling. Support for respecting the ruling holds from the regions to the city.
Climate harm belongs in planning decisions
73% of Labor voters say the harm from the greenhouse emissions of NSW coal mining projects should be taken into account when decisions are made about mining projects, just 9% say it shouldn’t. Across all voters, 57% agree.
NSW voters want a planned coal phase out, with workers supported
53% of all voters and 69% of Labor voters want the Government to make a proactive plan to phase out coal exports whilst increasing support for workers affected by the transition. Only 15% of Labor voters prefer to keep expanding coal mines and leave closure dates to mining companies. Support for this holds the same from the regions to the city.
What this means for NSW MPs
NSW voters do not support special legislation which circumvents High Court rulings. MP’s can protect jobs and respect the courts at the same time, by letting the planning process run its course and backing a funded transition plan for coal regions.
Methodology: YouGov online statewide survey of 1,289 NSW voters, 27 Oct-2 Nov 2026 weighted by age, gender, region, income, education, 2025 federal vote and 2023 voice vote. Labor voters = NSW state election Labor voting intention. Commissioned by Lock the Gate and The Sunrise Project Australia.
