· In short: Labor backbenchers say they have been "blindsided" by an energy policy promoting gas.

· Resources Minister Madeleine King said gas would remain important to Australia to 2050 "and beyond".

· What's next? More details of the government's Future Gas Strategy will be published in next week's federal budget.

Several Labor MPs are speaking out against the government's new gas policy, which sets out a plan for further investment and a life for gas "through to 2050 and beyond".

Among the backbench unrest are claims MPs were "blindsided" by the Future Gas Strategy announced on Thursday.

Six backbenchers have told the ABC the government should be speeding up the transition away from fossil fuels, not prolonging their life.

Assistant Minister Ged Kearney has also stated that no more public money should be spent on new gas or coal projects.

"We cannot draw out our reliance on fossil fuels any longer than is necessary," Ms Kearney said.

The Future Gas Strategy sets out the government's intentions to prevent energy supply shortfalls by working with the states and industry to speed up gas projects.

The government states new sources of gas will be needed to supply energy into the future, with the resources minister saying it would remain "an important source of energy through to 2050 and beyond".

It states that gas will be needed in sectors like manufacturing and minerals processing at least until viable alternatives are available.

Labor MP for Higgins Dr Michelle Ananda-Rajah said the announcement caught her by surprise.

"I feel like I was blindsided by this announcement and would have preferred more consultation to improve my understanding of gas in our future energy mix," she said.

"However nothing is preordained, the predictions in the gas strategy are entirely dependent on the decisions we make in this defining decade and I would urge all Australians to put their shoulder to the wheel when it comes to our energy transition."

Second-term MP Kate Thwaites said the policy could have been better handled.

"Frustration I think is about the fact that the way it's been handled and presented does not reflect the work the government is doing," she said.

"The focus has to be on the transition to renewable energy not prolonging fossil fuels and that's where my focus is."

Resources Minister Madeleine King's statement that gas would remain to 2050 and beyond has raised particular concern among MPs.

Rebel MPs facing Greens electoral threat

Several of those backbenchers are facing fierce challenges in their seats from the Greens, who have labelled the government "climate frauds" in response to the announcement.

Four Labor MPs — Jerome Laxale, Sally Sitou, Josh Burns and Josh Wilson — told the ABC that Australia must move away from fossil fuels as quickly as possible.

Fremantle MP Josh Wilson agreed gas would remain part of Australian's energy system for longer than coal, but it should exist for no longer than necessary.

"Let me be crystal clear in saying that climate change action requires fossil fuels to depart the scene in the course of a sensible and vitally important global energy transition," Mr Wilson said.

Ms Sitou, Labor's MP for Reid, said "for the sake of generations to come, we must move quickly towards a low-carbon future".

When contacted by the ABC, the Prime Minister's Office touted the government's climate achievements since the federal election, including rules to reduce emissions among the nation's biggest polluters, and investments in batteries, pumped hydro and other renewables.