But he also admitted it was not really his place to make that call, with Environment Minister Peter Garrett officially in charge of environmental approval.

The yet-to-be developed project expected to create 6000 jobs at its peak will underpin a major expansion of liquefied natural gas production across Australia.

Gorgon partner ExxonMobil has signed a $50billion gas contract to supply Chinese energy giant PetroChina over the next 20 years.

''There is no way the environment is at risk,'' Mr Ferguson said yesterday, before quickly adding ''the environmental considerations are not my considerations''.

''It is an entirely separate process in the hands of the Minister for the Environment, Peter Garrett,'' he said.

''He will make a decision in due course.''

Mr Garrett has said he would make his position public on the Barrow Island project some time this week.

The economic clout of the development has raised some fears that the environmental examination may be be a whitewash.

But on Friday Mr Garrett denied that was the case.

''I am under no pressure whatsoever in relation to this project other than to do my job as a regulator properly,'' he said.

A number of endangered species could be threatened by the development.

Australian Greens senator Rachel Siewert said last week, ''Barrow Island has been dubbed 'Australia's Ark' for its unique range of endangered species, with 24 species and sub-species preserved on the island, many of which are extinct or endangered on mainland Australia.''

Endemic species on the island include the spectacled hare-wallaby, the Barrow Island golden bandicoot, the Barrow Island mouse and the Barrow Island burrowing bettong.

Mr Ferguson said yesterday the environment minister had been assessing the Gorgon project at arm's length for an ''extended period''.

''A hell of a lot of work has been done environmentally and from a development perspective to get the project to this point,'' Mr Ferguson said.

Mr Ferguson also denied Canberra's decision to grant a visa to exiled Uighur leader Rebiya Kadeer, whom China regards as a terrorist, would affect future trade deals with China.

''In terms of our relationship with China it's business as usual,'' Mr Ferguson said.

''We are a resources and energy rich nation.

''China wants to do business with us.'' AAP