Industry advocates say offshore wind can provide baseload-like power to regional industrial hubs. Beyond Zero Emission found that, based on modelling by ACIL Allen, massive offshore wind precincts at old industrial centres Newcastle and Gladstone could generate 45,000 new ongoing jobs by 2032 and generate $13 billion in annual revenue, with growth in green steel, hydrogen and cement manufacturing.

Earlier this month the Victorian government announced a target for offshore wind development to generate at least two gigawatts of energy, enough to power 1.5 million homes, by 2032.

Mr Wilson accused Labor, which has more ambitious targets for greenhouse emissions reduction, of seeking to “impose an electricity tax by stealth” – a reference to Labor’s more ambitious climate policy.

Labor has pledged to reduce Australia’s carbon pollution by 43 per cent over the next decade, starting from 2005 level of emissions, which is significantly higher than the government’s commitment to reduce emissions by at least 26 per cent.

The most controversial element of Labor’s emissions plan is its commitment to tighten limits on industrial polluters under the Safeguard Mechanism, which was established by the Coalition in 2016.

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It currently applies to facilities that together generate 140 million tonnes of greenhouse gases a year, or 28 per cent of national emissions. Labor said it would drive down emissions to meet its tightening caps on carbon pollution each year, starting in 2023.

Industry groups that would be forced to reduce emissions under the safeguard mechanism, including aluminium, coal-fired power generation, cement, mining and gas production have backed Labor’s plan to tighten caps on their pollution.

Mr Taylor has dubbed Labor’s plan for the safeguard mechanism a “sneaky carbon tax” that would impose costs on industry that would be imposed on consumers.

Consultation on the offshore wind regulations is open until April 22.