The Australian Workers Union has called on green activists to back off campaigning against Woodside’s $16 billion Scarborough LNG project, arguing that it is a key part of the country’s net zero emissions future.

The head of the Labor-aligned union’s West Australian branch, Brad Gandy, said activists were undermining the prospect of up to 3200 construction jobs and 600 permanent jobs, as well as a less carbon-intensive energy source critical for the transition to renewables.