Environmental activists have scaled the towering flagpoles outside Parliament House in Canberra, unfurling an enormous banner condemning the coal industry.

As parliament returns after a fortnight’s break, two Greenpeace protesters attached the yellow banner to the flagpoles, displaying an image of Prime Minister Scott Morrison clutching a piece of coal alongside the words “Get Your Hand Off It”.

The activists, who are suspended from the flagpoles, are filming videos that are going directly to Greenpeace’s social media channels from cameras attached to their helmets.

“We’re outside parliament here today because Scott Morrison has shown quite clearly that he’s a lover of coal and the coal industry,” Greenpeace spokeswoman Dominique Rowe told AAP.

It’s really out of step with what the majority of Australians want, which is climate action now and renewable energy.”

Meanwhile mobile billboards with a photo of Mr Morrison handing an excited Barnaby Joyce a piece of coal are also being driven around Canberra.

The Greenpeace protest coincides with farmers and their supporters holding a rally in the nation’s capital to demand the federal government take urgent action on climate change.

A ute convoy with farm dogs made its way around State Circle on Monday morning before speakers addressed the crowd.

“We’re a rapidly growing group of farmers and regional Australians who are sick of what is going on in the house behind me,” Farmers for Climate Action deputy chairperson Charlie Prell told the crowd outside parliament.

“While the country is burning in the middle of August, these people continue to argue over their internal disputes.”

-AAP