Last weekend’s state election saw the decibel level rise considerably  as the Greens did a bit of fracking in the Nationals  strongholds of Ballina and Lismore. Seats have been lost and major swings recorded across the state in seats affected by mining exploration. 

Echoes of discontent with the expansion of coal and gas mining are creating strange faultlines in once predictable ideological ground.

Countering the prime minister’s view that “coal is good for humanity” is a stream of unexpected voices. Not the least of these belongs to the emperor of the airwaves Alan Jones, whose hostility to mining is so vitriolic it has led to 

former Nationals leader and deputy premier Andrew Stoner taking legal proceedings against him. It might have been that “dumb as a plank of wood” comment that got under his skin. 

For Jones, mining the Liverpool Plains is “an absolute disgrace”. But while Jones can be enigmatic in the causes he chooses to champion, that is not the case with former state governor Marie Bashir. Bashir is a conservative establishment figure, yet she has found a political passion in mining. She finds the destruction of fertile Australian farmland for mining  a “crisis” that must stop, adding: “I have never been so emphatic or political in my life”.

And there are other unexpected voices entering the debate. Country singing legend Troy Cassar-Daly, who has generally kept his political views to himself, made his position on mining pretty clear on a recent episode of Q&A:  “I’d chain myself to the bloody gate, don’t you worry.”

But such “direct action stunts” are not welcomed by the premier, who at a recent soiree of mining heavyweights  said his government would increase penalties for people who break into mines, damage equipment or disrupt work.

However, the premier isn’t having it all his own way on this. 

Golden Guitar winner Luke O’Shea,  who was arrested after he and his father chained themselves to equipment at Maules Creek, walked from Narrabri court without convictions recorded. So did the other 10 people facing similar charges that day.

High-profile former Wallaby captain David Pocock also avoided conviction after his arrest. Greens candidate and chain-me-up grandmother Pat Schultz had her charges dismissed in a higher court.

Mike Baird might be talking the hard line, but the judicial system hasn’t made up its mind. Incidentally, yesterday the Narrabri Court handed out $35,000 in fines for mining related offences.

What gives?