The Deputy Prime Minister has suggested harsher fines for activists preventing millions of dollars of coal and produce passing through the Hunter.

Blockade Australia has claimed responsibility for eight train closures in the Hunter Valley including parking a car across train tracks, and boarding trains to shovel coal off.

Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce told Ray Hadley more needs to be done to punish the “Gretas on steroids” breaking the law.

He suggested protesters be fined the same amount they cost taxpayers, up to $100,000 for each train they stop.

“What they’re stopping is the payments to your police force, your hospitals, your schools.

“If you can just give us $2 million and we can come and start collecting your furniture, and selling it to see if we can cover some of this, their attitude might change.

“They get involved with the zeitgeist, but they don’t understand the price.”

Press PLAY below to hear the Deputy Premier’s response in full