The 'CLEAN' Coal myth

Now the coalition's thrashing about for a reason to remain in government brings forth the idea of bank-rolling 'clean' coal research and manufacture with CEFC investment funds provided by taxpayers. No matter that large energy resource companies in Australia question the efficacy of chasing after 'clean' versions of yesterday's energy source (which probably don't exist as a viable alternative to renewables anyway) and would be reluctant to invest their funds in such a project with little prospect of worthwhile returns in the long run.

So what is pushing the government along this path? The weird right wing (so called) of the coalition parties? Or simply gormlessness?