The partner of former Wallabies captain David Pocock has continued the couple's protests against a controversial New South Wales coal mine and called on the ACT Government to end its investments in the developer.
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Emma Pocock joined about 40 protesters outside the Legislative Assembly and said she understood why the Australian Rugby Union had formally warned the flanker over his arrest at the Maules Creek open-cut coal mine site.
David Pocock was one of nine protesters charged over the protest against Whitehaven Coal on Sunday and will face the Narrabri Local Court next month. He did not attend the Assembly protest.
Tuesday's protest organised by environmental campaigners 350.org called on Treasurer Andrew Barr to end the territory's investment in Whitehaven, which is planning to move the first coal from the $767 million mine in early 2015.
Mr Barr would not meet with the demonstrators, which included students, members of religious organisations and Australian National University astrophysics Professor Frank Briggs. The group has become a regular presence at the Assembly.
Ms Pocock called for sporting codes to explain their policies for dealing with players who join protests and support causes outside of sport.
She stopped short of criticising the ARU over its decision to issue a written warning to Mr Pocock about the incident.
"I think there is an interesting conversation to be had abut how sportspeople actively engage in democracy and political issues. I feel like its one we've been needing to have for a long time in this country," she said.
"There are issues in the United States that I know of, particularly where players have gotten involved in the campaign for marriage equality and so I think there's questions to be asked.
"I think until we resolve them, the ARU has to take what it thinks is the right course of action," Ms Pocock said.
Mr Pocock was released on bail and returned to training on Monday after being charged with entering enclosed land without lawful excuse, remaining on enclosed land without lawful excuse and hindering the working of mining equipment.
Brumbies chief executive Doug Edwards said this week no further action would be taken against Mr Pocock, who is known for his social activism on topics including same-sex marriage rights.
ACT Greens minister Shane Rattenbury has also called on the government to divest from Whitehaven, warning last month the Maules Creek project would risk threaten endangered species and woodlands.
Professor Briggs said he had joined the protest because informed leadership was needed to protect the earth from human induced climate change.
"At the moment, we would love to see the ACT follow the rest of their behaviour patterns in going to renewables and also saying they recognise the problem and will do whatever they can to set a good example," he said.
"We would like them to go a step further and make a quite visible removal of their investments from the fossil fuel industry."
350.org organiser Josh Creaser said it was time for the ACT Government to divest from the 70 major fossil fuel companies.
