Ms Davis of Maitland compared the act to great civil rights acts of the last century.

“Non-violent protests are what stopped slavery and gave women the vote,” she said.

A fake press release on an ANZ Bank letterhead, written by anti-coal activist Jonathan Moylan, claimed a $1.2 billion loan to Whitehaven Coal had been reversed because of fears the north-west NSW mining operation could hurt the environment and agriculture.

Mr Tinkler, who retains a 19.4pc share in Whitehaven, was among shareholders who watched prices slump from $3.52 to $3.21 in a matter of hours placing the company on a trading halt. 

Greens leader Christine Milne and Greens Senator Lee Rhiannon have come under attack for condoning the hoax.

“I cannot believe the comments by the Green leader Christine Milne actually congratulating that criminal idiot,” Paterson MP Bob Baldwin tweeted yesterday.

Ms Davis said there was no point having an economy if fossil fuels brought it to an end.

“I know this young man, he’s very quiet to speak to, and he didn’t tell anyone because he didn’t want to get anyone else into trouble,” Ms Davis said.

“We’re not encouraging people to go out and do things like that but if people feel very passionate about a cause they will.”