Northern Territory Treasurer Delia Lawrie has dismissed reports in Western Australia that Darwin has secured the Inpex gas project.

Western Australia's Opposition Leader Colin Barnett says after meeting with Inpex officials last week he believes the company will be building its $12 billion LNG plant in Darwin.

Inpex is considering Darwin and the Maret Islands off the Kimberley coast for the project.

But Ms Lawrie says Mr Barnett is playing politics in the middle of a state election campaign.

"Inpex has very clearly said that they won't be making a decision ... I'm sure they won't be making a decision on where they base their important project during the midst of a Western Australian election campaign," she said.

"The speculation by the leader of the Opposition is simply that - it is speculation."

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