Reverend Nile and the two Shooters Party representatives in the Upper House sided with the Labor Government last week to swing the crucial vote on the Mining Amendment Bill in favour of mining companies whose expanded activities are causing widespread anger, particularly in northern NSW.

The North West is considered the heartland rural support base for the Christian Democratic Party (CDP) in NSW.

Reverend Nile’s vote was accused of being hobbled by Labor because he was granted an extra $25,312 a year on his parliamentary salary by a Labor Government-Shooters Party majority vote two years ago.

The 19 votes to 20 split last week left the mostly pro-farmer gallery glaring at Reverend Nile and the two Shooters Party representatives, Robert Brown and Roy Smith.

The two Shooters MPs have many supporters in rural areas, particularly in the mining region around Cessnock, but that did not stop some of the public who yelled out “shame”.

“I think it’s the rowdiest day we’ve had in more than 20 years,” Reverend Nile told The Land this week.

Greens Upper House MP Lee Rhiannon – a surprising heroine for farmers last week – pledged to bring her proposed legislation back to parliament “within the year”.

“Every month that passes, more damage is being done,” she said.

Former Christian Democrat colleague, Reverend Gordon Moyes, who split from the CDP three months ago, said Reverend Nile and The Shooters Party had become the governments “junkyard dogs”.

The president of Gloucester Residents in Partnership, Gary Ferris, said it was a pity Reverend Nile could not put his Greens prejudice aside.

“Fred, you’ve been around way too long, it is time to retire. You’re nothing more than a puppet of the Labor party,” Mr Ferris said.

Reverend Nile, who plans to visit northern NSW in the coming months to bolster his disgruntled support base, said he voted according to his conscience.