Federal Labor environment spokesman Tony Burke has warned he will fiercely oppose any push to make stopping a Queensland coalmine ALP policy.
The issue is expected to be raised at the party's national conference, which begins in Adelaide on Sunday, with some groups calling for Labor to formally oppose the proposed Adani mine.
"There are a series of problems with this project but the only commitment I will make - and I will fiercely resist conference pushing for anything else - is that we will apply Australian environmental law," Mr Burke told Sky News on Tuesday.
Mr Burke said the Howard government had opposed a Victorian wind farm in 2004, a decision that was overturned in the courts because the minister had prejudged the project.
"If we were to do what some of the Stop Adani campaigns are demanding it would be a gift to the company," he said.
The senior NSW Right faction member said he remained deeply sceptical of the Adani mine over breaches of environmental law.
His comments come before protests in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane targeting the offices of Opposition Leader Bill Shorten, deputy leader Tanya Plibersek and Queensland Premier Annastacia Paluszczuk.
Adani has announced it plans to start work on the mine before Christmas, sparking demands for Labor to urgently commit to stop the mine before its policy-setting conference.
Resources Minister Matt Canavan told reporters in Melbourne the mine would help the world lower its emissions because of the high quality of the coal, compared with that available in India.
"The Labor party is continually sitting on the fence on Adani and they need to be upfront with the people of north Queensland if they support these jobs," Senator Canavan said.
