The Dubbo Knitting Nannas have announced they want to perform a citizen’s arrest on Mr Coulton to draw attention to human rights abuses in Australia.

The Nannas’ bid was unsuccessful with Mr Coulton away from his Dubbo office on Monday.

While their arrest plans were tongue in cheek, the nannas said they were very cross that the current Parliament was willfully neglecting human rights, particularly in areas where coal seam gas extraction was happening.

Dubbo Knitting Nanna and Gasfield Free Dubbo Region convenor Sally Forsstrom said in parts of Australia where CSG extraction had taken place, families were being denied the basic rights of clean air and clean water.

Ms Forsstrum said it was also important to remember the people being held in detention.

They chose Monday to try and make their arrest because it was United Nations Day. The nannas had a list of United Nations Human Rights they claimed were being violated.

While the Dubbo Nannas were at Mr Coulton’s office, nannas from across Australia were all attempting to make arrests at their local MPs offices.

Mr Coulton said he had a lot of time for the Knitting Nannas and had found their peaceful protesting pleasant but said there was a difference of opinion.

“I am quite fond of the Knitting Nannas and they have every right to protest but I do think they are misguided,” he said. “I could take them to gas wells in my electorate where neighbouring residents are in good health and have a good relationship with the companies.

Mr Coulton said his electorate was an early adopter of clean energy, with Dubbo having the highest rate of rooftop solar, and solar power plants operating in Broken Hill, Moree and Nyngan with another being built in Dubbo.

“Until we can find a way to break our reliance on fossil fuels, I would hope people would embrace the fact the region has a resource industry that employs so many people,” he said.