Coal-seam gas protest was worth the fine: Irwin

Wildlife warrior Bob Irwin says he may break the law again in protests against coal-seam gas mining.

EVEN the pleadings of a sympathetic magistrate could not encourage wildlife warrior Bob Irwin to promise he would obey the law in protests against coal-seam gas mining for the next 12 months.

In court scenes with all the pathos of the Australian film classic The Castle, Mr Irwin, the 72-year-old father of late conservationist Steve Irwin, said he would prefer to cop a fine.

Mr Irwin rejected an offer by Chinchilla magistrate Matthew McLaughlan that he be put on a good-behaviour bond for 12 months and receive no conviction for refusing to obey a police direction.

He said he could not promise the same thing would not happen again. He was fined $300.

Queensland Greens MP Libby Connors and environmentalist Thomas Brookes also appeared in court, accepting the offer of a good-behaviour bond.

Before sentence, Mr Irwin and Mr Brookes each read a statement to the court outlining their reasons for protest.

Mr McLaughlan told them they were preaching to the converted, adding: "My personal opinion is irrelevant. But I understand that it is emotional matters that caused you to protest. As a magistrate, I need to try to persuade people who are protesting that they can't break the law to do it."

Mr Irwin said he had nothing but praise for the police but had been driven to extraordinary lengths by the threat posed by coal-seam gas mining and exploration.

"I have devoted most of my life to the protection of wildlife and the environment," he said.

"I have felt very strongly about a number of issues about wildlife in the past, but I have never considered breaking the law for people to take notice. I believe the coal-seam gas industry is so detrimental that I had no choice."

A more serious charge against veteran environmental campaigner Drew Hutton over blocking access to property was adjourned to August 25.