Australia has long defended its dependence on coal. The fossil fuel provides up to 70% of its power needs and is the country’s second-biggest export. So it’s progress when an establishment figure calls for a concerted effort to wean Down Under off the carbon-spewing black stuff. Trouble is, it’s coming from Graeme Hunt, chief executive of beleaguered, coal-dependent AGL Energy (AGL.AX), whose words could easily be read as a veiled pitch for a taxpayer bailout.