Queensland mining chief says activists hijacked death of outspoken farmer

Michael Roche attacks 'professional anti-gas activists' for exploiting suicide of coal seam gas opponent George Bender

An outspoken farmer's recent suicide has been hijacked by some politicians, activists and journalists, Queensland's peak mining body says.

The Queensland Resources Council chief executive, Michael Roche, released a statement on Tuesday afternoon remembering late Chinchilla farmer George Bender, who vocally opposed coal seam gas before his death earlier this month.