Sponsors of Smart Energy Council, the charity that helped model Albanese's nuclear scare campaign, embroiled in slave labour allegations
A charity that modelled the $600 billion figure used by Anthony Albanese to attack the Coalition's nuclear policy is sponsored by clean-energy companies accused of using slave labour, it has emerged.
The climate charity behind modelling used in Labor's nuclear scare campaign received thousands of dollars from green energy firms embroiled in slave labour allegations.
The Smart Energy Council's calculation that the LNP's plan to build nuclear reactors will cost $600 billion has been regularly quoted by the Prime Minister during the election campaign.
The SEC is a registered charity and has donated heavily to the ALP's campaign.
Several of the council's 2025 conference exhibitors and sponsors have been accused of using forced labour and being involved in the “the oppression of minority groups”, such as Uighurs in China, The Australian reported on Tuesday evening.
The companies caught up in the allegations include Alpha ESS, Jinko Solar and JA Solar.
Jinko Solar has been raided by the US Department of Homeland Security after its shipments were seized under the Uighur Forced Labor Protection Act.
Climate 200 founder Simon Holmes a Court, who is an advisor and former board member of the charity, visited a Jinko factory in 2019.
Photos posted by the company showed Mr Holmes a Court as part of an Australian delegation “led by the SEC” to one of its factories in Shangrao.
Sheffield Hallam University said the company had “high exposure” to state-imposed forced labour upon the Uighur community and other minorities.
Jinko has consistently denied allegations of using illegal labour practices.
Climate 200 has been contacted for comment by SkyNews.com.au.
SEC’s chief executive told The Australian individual companies should be contacted “for their own views”.
“The Smart Energy Council joins other solar international stakeholders to condemn use of forced labour in all industries wherever such human rights abuses are found,” the SEC's principles read.
The body said it is committed to working with members and suppliers to "establish and maintain ethical, sustainable and socially responsible operations and supply chains".
In 2023-2024, the SEC donated $42,000 to Labor, and in 2021-2022 donated $29,000, according to the Australian Electoral Commission.
During the 2022 campaign, the SEC was ordered by the AEC to stop political activities including selling stickers attacking the Coalition.