Australia’s case of Dutch disease has real political dimensions. The Australian state has represents what we might call in vulgar Marxist terms an executive committee for the mining industry.

Despite more than 60 per cent of NSW voters opposing proposals to crack down on coal seam gas (CSG) mining protesters, the Baird Government passed the Inclosed Lands, Crimes and Law Enforcement Legislation Amendment (Interference) Bill last week, increasing penalties for protesters and expanding police powers.