Climate and Energy Minister Chris Bowen has reaffirmed the need for gas to buttress the transition to renewable energy, as Peter Dutton slammed the government’s attack on his nuclear power plans as a sign they are gaining traction with the public.

After Mr Bowen, unprompted, released departmental figures claiming a shift from coal-fired power to nuclear would cost $387 billion, the opposition leader said Mr Bowen had become “unhinged”.