Green thumb Peter Cundall is an Australian treasure, the host of Gardening Australia for more than 20 years and a 2008 recipient of the Order of Australia. But yesterday the 82-year-old found himself on the wrong side of the law for the first time in his life.

Peter Cundall made his stand at Tasmania’s Parliament, protesting the state’s Tamar Valley pulp mill. The police told him his actions would result in an arrest, but the television veteran would not be moved.

I’ve never seen a more polite arrest than this one, on both sides! Peter remains courteous to the end, and I didn’t see one taser or baton from the cops. Maybe the Americans could learn something from this very civilized affair!