It hasn't wasted any time in lobbying for the new government to build new coal-fired power stations.

Coal Council of Australia chief executive Greg Evans came out swinging on Monday, saying it was insulting that coal workers had been treated as second-class citizens.

"In coal-related electorates in NSW and Queensland, Labor members and candidates recorded strong swings against them. In the two heartland coal seats of both states, those swings were over 13 per cent."

He added that Labor had been damaged by "anti-coal policies". This covered the Adani proposal, the suggestion of coal workers being transitioned elsewhere and resistance to coal-fired power generation.

"As they reset their policy platform, they need to reverse their anti-coal positions."

Labor leadership contender Anthony Albanese was asked about coal on Tuesday.

"The fact is that the coal industry is an important employer in places like the Hunter Valley. The fact is also the transition to a clean-energy economy over a period of time will mean massive growth in renewable energy jobs," Mr Albanese said.

"I mean, when you talk about renewable energy the sun is free, the wind's free. The only cost is essentially about labour and that is why it is potentially such a significant employer. I want to see Australia not just creating in terms of being involved in the resources sector, I want to see value-adding."

As for the Coalition, Mr Evans said it had been a consistent supporter of the coal sector. It had recognised the sector's "valuable economic contribution as a major employer, provider of tax revenue and royalties and our largest export earner [worth $66 billion]".

Mr Evans asserted that the Queensland Labor government must "cease its reckless obstruction and let the Adani coal development proceed as Australians have indicated at the ballot box".

He also pushed for red tape to be cut around coal mine projects.

"This can be achieved without compromising already stringent environmental regulations," he said.

Mr Evans added that the Morrisson government should, when considering ways to reduce electricity prices, "encourage proposals for new HELE [high efficiency, low emission] coal plants".

He claimed that they "offer the cheapest and cleanest energy for Australian households and businesses".

It should be said that this claim has been disputed by some energy analysts.

Mr Evans's comments will be music to the ears of many Hunter families whose livelihoods depend on the coal industry.

The big swing against Labor in the Hunter's coal belt could be just the start of a seismic shift in the region's politics, as coal and climate change continue on their inevitable collision course.

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