Peter Dutton accused of copying Donald Trump as he promises to fast track Woodside gas project

Opposition Leader Peter Dutton’s pledge to approve a new gas plant extension until 2070 within 30 days if he wins government has been dismissed as a “thought bubble”.

Mr Dutton declared energy giant Woodside’s 50-year North West Shelf gas expansion in Western Australia a project of national importance, promising to fast-track its approval if the coalition is victorious at the upcoming federal election.

The coalition is also vowing to change environmental laws to limit the ability of groups opposing the environmental approvals to appeal decisions.

The opposition leader said he is sending a clear message that his government would be different and provide a different future for West Australians.

“I’m seeking a mandate from the Australian people, and in particular from the people of Western Australia, to make sure we can keep mining going and we can keep investments and approval processes flowing,” Mr Dutton said on Wednesday.

“Because without it, there are no jobs.”

He branded Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek as the “minister for no mining”, accusing her and the prime minister of chasing inner-city Sydney and Melbourne Greens voters.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Wednesday dismissed the opposition leader’s plan as just “another thought bubble”.

“It lasts about as long as a bit of a soap bubble that comes up from a bubble bath. It just disappears into the ether,” he told reporters.”They just come up with these things and they walk away from them, whether it’s referendums, whether it be zonal taxation rates, whether it be the other statements that Peter Dutton makes.”

Mr Albanese said the project had only arrived on the federal government’s desk in the past few weeks and the approvals process was being worked through.

“Do we support the gas sector? Yes but subject to environmental approvals,” he said.

The Australian Conservation Foundation has lashed the proposal, accusing the coalition of confusing national interest with the commercial interests of a big fossil fuel company.

“If it gets the green light, Woodside’s North West Shelf expansion would emit billions of tonnes of carbon pollution to 2070, drive demand to open new gas fields and continue the deterioration of ancient First Nations rock art at Murujuga,” the foundation’s nature policy adviser Brendan Sydes said.

Greens Environment spokeswoman Sarah Hanson-Young said the decision will cause more destruction, pollution and wildlife extinctions, accusing Mr Dutton of launching a “Trump-like attack” on environmental defenders.

“We all have a stake in the health of our environment and his plan to lock communities out of legal avenues is a threat to our democracy and the health of the planet,” she said in a statement.

A Woodside spokesman welcomed the opposition leader’s commitment to fast-track the project assessment.

“Timely approval of the North West Shelf Extension is critical to ensure this nationally significant asset continues to provide a reliable energy supply to Western Australian businesses and homes,” he said.

Woodside received a 50-year extension to continue operating its offshore gas project from the WA government in December following a six-year approval process.

But Ms Plibersek has delayed her decision on the controversial Burrup Peninsula plant until March 31.

The coalition’s announcement comes ahead of Labor’s fourth federal budget on Tuesday and with cost-of-living pressures still on voters’ mind, Mr Albanese is signalling more energy relief support.

“We will always look towards what we can do in cost of living measures,” he said.

AAP