Resources and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2021
Bill Story
The journey of this bill through Parliament, including debate and recorded votes.
Introduced the bill to validate mining leases with administrative deficiencies, clarify petroleum lease renewals, repeal the Personalised Transport Ombudsman Act, and enable water restriction enforcement in South-East Queensland.
“This bill will ensure the continued effectiveness of key regulatory frameworks within the resources portfolio.”— 2021-06-16View Hansard
Referred to Transport and Resources Committee
▸1 procedural vote
Vote to grant leave
Permission was refused.
A vote on whether to grant permission — for example, to introduce an amendment or vary normal procedure.
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Ayes (37)
Noes (49)
▸18 members spoke18 support
As Minister for Resources, introduced and championed the bill to clarify provisions in mining and petroleum legislation, provide certainty for mining lease holders, and address water legislation issues.
“The Resources and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2021 will provide certainty to stakeholders by clarifying provisions in the Mineral Resources Act 1989 and the Petroleum Act 1923.”— 2021-10-13View Hansard
As Minister for Resources, introduced the bill and moved its second reading, defending it as necessary to provide certainty for mining tenures and address administrative deficiencies.
“Let me state very clearly for the record that these mining leases are validly granted by the minister of the day.”— 2021-10-12View Hansard
As shadow minister, criticised the government's lack of consultation with stakeholders including QRC and EDO, but announced the LNP will not oppose the bill as it provides certainty for the resources industry.
“We will not be opposing this bill. I will be interested to hear how the minister intends that correction to take place because I still have concerns that it is unworkable.”— 2021-10-12View Hansard
Spoke in support of the bill, emphasising the importance of the resources and mining sector to Queensland's economy and the government's commitment to the hydrogen industry.
“I rise to speak in support of the Resources and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2021.”— 2021-10-12View Hansard
As deputy chair of the Transport and Resources Committee, acknowledged the need for the bill to correct administrative deficiencies affecting mining leases while criticising the government's use of omnibus bills.
“I also assure the House that the error cannot be repeated because the administrative requirements that caused it were removed in 2010.”— 2021-10-12View Hansard
Supported the bill while expressing concerns about lack of consultation with major stakeholders and criticising government waste on the Personalised Transport Ombudsman.
“I think it is most important to have all paperwork correct in respect to petroleum and mineral resources and their various tenures and leases.”— 2021-10-12View Hansard
As a committee member, supported the bill noting its bipartisan support and the importance of validating mining leases for the renewables boom which requires copper and other minerals.
“This bill does have bipartisan support.”— 2021-10-12View Hansard
Not opposing the bill but criticised the government for administrative failures and inconsistency, calling out that the government is willing to override Land Court processes for these leases but not for Acland mine.
“I am not opposing this legislation because I think it is appropriate that we do this for all of those people who hold those leases.”— 2021-10-12View Hansard
Supported the bill while focusing on water infrastructure issues and calling for better planning, also advocating for the Acland mine approval.
“Make no mistake: there would be no need for these heavy-handed water restrictions if the Palaszczuk Labor government or former Labor governments had actually done some planning around what we need in the south-east for water.”— 2021-10-12View Hansard
Spoke in support emphasising the importance of providing certainty for the resources sector and protecting mining leases from legal challenges.
“Businesses want certainty, whether they are directly involved in mining or exploration, or one of the many businesses supporting the resources sector, community and stakeholder groups.”— 2021-10-12View Hansard
Supported the bill while raising concerns about petroleum activity on priority agricultural lands and calling for better enforcement of protections for landholders.
“We have amendments in this bill that give certainty to industry and community stakeholders and are also retrospective.”— 2021-10-12View Hansard
Strongly supported the bill as demonstrating Labor's commitment to the mining industry, noting that his electorate has many residents working in mining-related jobs.
“This bill provides certainty to the industry and to community stakeholders. It ensures the integrity of the land tenure system.”— 2021-10-12View Hansard
Supported the bill as necessary to validate mining tenures and keep the industry operating, while also advocating for water infrastructure projects in North Queensland.
“It is great to see that this legislation is put forward to tidy up some of the problems we have across the state.”— 2021-10-12View Hansard
Announced LNP support for the bill as it provides certainty for business and jobs, while criticising the government for having to admit previous legislative failures.
“This is a bill that the LNP will support because it is about surety for business, and that means surety for jobs, especially in regional Queensland.”— 2021-10-12View Hansard
Spoke in support of the bill, defending Labor's record on supporting the mining industry and noting increased exploration investment in Queensland.
“Labor have always—and the minister and Premier especially—supported the mining industry by ensuring we have strong, stable regulation that has wide community support and provides a strong platform for investment in our mining and resources sector.”— 2021-10-12View Hansard
Supported the bill while emphasising the need for more measures to unlock mining potential in the North West Minerals Province and criticising the Personalised Transport Ombudsman as a waste of money.
“I support those comments made by the member for Hinchinbrook when he made the observation that people have fallen back in love with coalmining after it was the enemy throughout a period of ideological fervour.”— 2021-10-12View Hansard
Supported the bill while strongly criticising the government's previous legislation on statutory position holders (SSEs) as union-driven, praising the new minister for trying to rectify the former minister's failings.
“I call on the minister to have a serious look at this issue.”— 2021-10-12View Hansard
Supported the bill fixing administrative deficiencies for mining leases while criticising the waste of money on the Personalised Transport Ombudsman.
“I am sure that every member here, apart from certain individuals, believe that the mining industry should be a strong and powerful industry in this state because it creates so much employment.”— 2021-10-12View Hansard
That the amendment be agreed to
The motion passed.
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Ayes (47)
Noes (36)
That the motion, as amended, be agreed to
The motion passed.
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Ayes (47)
Noes (36)
Supported the bill overall but expressed serious concerns about the coal mining safety statutory officer provisions, noting they were imposed without consultation and may be impossible to implement.
“Making this apply to every mine owner is going to be very difficult because the ownership of some of these mines is complex. There are multiple companies involved.”— 2021-10-13View Hansard
Raised concerns about the statutory officer provisions, arguing they were an ill-conceived attack on small business rights pushed by unions without proper consultation, and urged the minister to ensure senior site executives are represented on the working group.
“It was an attack on the rights of individuals which is, in my view, a breach of their human rights and not justified and not warranted.”— 2021-10-13View Hansard
Opposed the petroleum-related clauses (4-7) of the bill, arguing Queensland should not continue to support expansion of coal seam gas and fracking given climate change concerns and impacts on groundwater.
“What we do not support—and what no sensible policy-making should support—is the ongoing expansion of fossil fuels extraction in this state or anywhere in the world.”— 2021-10-13View Hansard
Plain English Summary
Overview
This bill makes technical fixes to mining and petroleum laws to protect existing resource tenures from administrative errors, repeals the never-implemented Personalised Transport Ombudsman scheme, and gives South East Queensland water distributors new powers to enforce water restrictions while protecting cyber security information from public disclosure.
Who it affects
Mining and petroleum companies gain certainty about their tenure validity. South East Queensland residents face new water restriction enforcement powers. Taxi, rideshare and limousine operators avoid a new ombudsman scheme.
Mining and petroleum tenure validation
Validates mining leases granted 1989-2010 that may have had paperwork deficiencies, and clarifies that petroleum production leases continue while renewal applications are pending. This prevents tenures from being challenged or lapsing on technical grounds.
- Mining leases granted 1989-2010 validated despite administrative deficiencies in recommendation or lease instrument processes
- Production leases under Petroleum Act 1923 continue in force while renewal applications are pending
- Authorities to prospect with pending production lease applications continue past 1 November 2021 expiry date
Personalised Transport Ombudsman repeal
Repeals the Personalised Transport Ombudsman Act 2019 before an ombudsman was ever appointed. The government determined existing dispute mechanisms are adequate and the scheme would cost $5 million over three years with limited benefit.
- Personalised Transport Ombudsman scheme repealed, saving approximately $5 million over three years
- Taxi, rideshare and limousine disputes continue to be handled by existing bodies like Fair Work and the Office of Fair Trading
Water restriction enforcement
Gives Urban Utilities and Unitywater new powers to investigate and enforce water restrictions in their service areas, matching powers local governments already have. Creates a new 'water restrictions officer' role with entry and investigation powers.
- Urban Utilities and Unitywater can appoint water restrictions officers to investigate breaches
- Officers can enter properties (except residences without warrant) to check compliance
- Powers include testing, sampling, photographing, and requiring personal details from suspected offenders
Water cyber security protection
Allows water service providers to remove sensitive cyber security information from documents they are required to make publicly available. This addresses security risks identified after a 2017 Queensland Audit Office review.
- Water providers can redact cyber security information from public documents like drinking water quality management plans
- Providers must still report cyber security information to the water supply regulator