Gas price tensions have erupted inside Labor with Industry Minister Ed Husic backing criticisms by the Australian Workers’ Union that last week’s “dud” deal between gas exporters and Resources Minister Madeleine King would do nothing to lower costs.

As AWU national secretary Daniel Walton said there was “zero chance” of Australia becoming a manufacturing powerhouse while the Labor government refused to intervene and force down the gas price, Mr Husic said the gas exporters would make a swarm of locusts proud.