Scott Morrison has indicated a crackdown on what he calls the "selfish, indulgent and apocalyptic" actions of protesters.

In a speech to the Queensland Resources Council on Friday, the prime minister urged companies to ignore rowdy protesters waging "economic sabotage".

In the video above, capsicum spray chaos as police take a hard line on Melbourne protesters this week

Instead, he wants businesses to listen to their "quiet shareholders".

After a week of anti-coal demonstrations in Melbourne that were marred by violence, the PM warned activists were testing the limits of their right to protest.

"A new breed of radical activism is on the march. Apocalyptic in tone, brooks no compromise, all or nothing. Alternative views not permitted," Morrison said.

"Let me assure you, this is not something my government intends to allow to go unchecked.

"Together with the attorney-general, we are working to identify mechanisms that can successfully outlaw these indulgent and selfish practices that threaten the livelihoods of fellow Australians."

Scott Morrison speaking to Queensland Resources Council representatives in Brisbane on Friday. Credit: Darren England / AAP

The Australian Conservation Foundation pointed out that the wider business world was moving away from coal because it could see the economic damage climate change would wreak.

Chief executive Kelly O'Shanassy cited concerns raised by the head of the Defence Force, the deputy governor of the Reserve Bank and the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority.

"Big institutional investors are turning their backs on coal because they can see the damage climate change is doing to their portfolios and because the financial returns are better from clean technology," she said.

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"To paint this broad community concern as being about 'fringe-dwelling extremists' is an insult to all Australians who want a better future for themselves and their children."

But the Business Council of Australia backed efforts to prevent activists "unfairly targeting responsible businesses".

"Australians outside the major capital cities should have their voice heard in this debate, they shouldn't lose out on projects that strike the balance between investment, jobs and environmental outcomes for no good reason," chief executive Jennifer Westacott told AAP.