West Australian Premier Roger Cook is eager to capitalise on the shift of political and economic power across the Nullarbor, saying his state’s ore riches would fuel a future built on green steel, making it the “California of Australia”.

The Labor leader said Peter Dutton’s attack on billionaire miners via his opposition to the Albanese government’s $14 billion production credit plan would backfire in WA, where Andrew Forrest, Gina Rinehart and others are viewed as major employers, not just Rich Listers.