The Australian Workers Union is urging green activists currently agitating against the Scarborough gas project to back off in the interest of West Australian workers and the environment.
The $16 billion Scarborough LNG development, which includes the construction of Pluto Train 2 near Karratha, will create thousands of Western Australian jobs. The planned four-year construction will gradually increase to a peak workforce of 3,200 jobs before transitioning to commissioning and operations phase with a workforce of around 600 people.
But AWU West Australia State Secretary Brad Gandy said the responsible development of gas resources was also a win for the planet, and activists should stop talking down the project.
"The idea that there is a choice between gas and renewables is just wrong, because they're complementary. Gas gives economies the security to pursue renewables and not that industry won't shut down during the transition," Mr Gandy said.
"The Scarborough gas project is not just a massive win for local jobs, it's a massive win for the planet as well.
"Unlike legacy coal plants, gas plants are fast to dispatch energy when required and quick to turn off when they're no longer needed. They are perfect for covering the inevitable gaps in power supply that a renewable-heavy energy system will throw up. And they can do so while emitting half the carbon dioxide of coal.
"Perhaps that's why former Chief Scientist, Alan Finkel, was such an enthusiastic proponent of gas. People should trust the science on climate change, and we should trust the Chief Scientist on gas.
"We shouldn't allow environmental extremists to threaten thousands of quality West Australian jobs when they actually have no idea what they're talking about. There is no way for the world to just magically switch to renewables and still produce all the aluminium and steel and glass that we need.
"Net zero emissions by 2050 doesn't mean no emissions. It means emissions are offset. The people who are investing in the Scarborough LNG development understand that demand for West Australian gas will continue well into the future.
"West Australia needs these jobs and the world needs gas. It's a win-win that shouldn't be undermined by green activists."
