WHEN Jonathan Moylan and a handful of fellow anti-coal campaigners set up camp in a state forest near Narrabri 161 days ago, they were already hinting at the unconventional protest methods to come.
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Last Saturday, he used his laptop computer to draw up a fake press release purporting to be from ANZ Bank, saying the financial institution had withdrawn financial support for a proposed Whitehaven Coal mine in the forest.
When he sent it to journalists on Monday morning, and impersonated an ANZ employee, the company's stock temporarily crashed by nearly 9 per cent - equivalent to $314 million.
Mr Moylan has not been charged, but potential offences could lead to fines of $495,000 and up to 10 years in jail.
An ASIC investigator made an unannounced visit to the Leard Forest campsite this week, seizing the laptop and mobile phone Mr Moylan used for the hoax.
Do you believe that Mr Moylan should spend time in jail for the financial stunt?
Last week's results: Is it fair federal payments for single parents have been cut?
YES: 62.8%
NO: 37.2%
