The Barossa offshore gas project, operated by gas giant Santos, was today given the green light by Australia's National Offshore Petroleum Safety and Environmental Management Authority (NOPSEMA).
Barossa is one of the most polluting new gas projects under development in Australia and will pay no royalties on the gas it extracts.
However, its approval during the election campaign provides an opportunity for Peter Dutton to strengthen the Coalition's gas policy.
"Barossa should not go ahead because of its impact on the climate," said Mark Ogge, Principal Advisor at The Australia Institute.
"But today's approval is an opportunity for Peter Dutton to demonstrate his policy of Australian gas for Australians first.
"If a small amount of Barossa's gas was reserved for use in Australia, there would be absolutely no need to frack for gas in the Northern Territory.
"Fracking in the Territory is deeply unpopular because of the risks to groundwater that almost all Territorians rely on.
"Securing the NT's gas supply without fracking could find significant support in the two NT seats, Solomon and Lingiari.
"More votes still could be delivered by committing to make Santos and other gas companies pay for the gas they extract.
"Most gas exporters pay zero royalties, and none have ever paid Petroleum Resource Rent Tax.
"Big gas is taking the piss and now is the time to do something about it."
