Resources Safety and Health Queensland Bill 2019

Supports the bill as a step in the right direction for mine safety reform but criticises the government for failing to implement the full recommendations of the Coal Workers' Pneumoconiosis Select Committee, particularly the establishment of the Mine Safety and Health Authority in Mackay.

“The Resources Safety and Health Queensland Bill 2019 does make a difference, but I stand by what I have said many times in this place and in the community: it is not what the mineworkers expected.”— 2020-03-17View Hansard

As Minister, introduced and championed the bill as delivering on the Palaszczuk government's commitment to a regulatory framework that strengthens worker trust, ensures independence and transparency, and achieves increased accountability for mine safety.

“This bill will make a real, positive difference to the safety and health of all workers in Queensland resources industries.”— 2020-02-04View Hansard

Supports the bill and acknowledges the hard work of all involved, while backing the shadow minister's call for a full parliamentary inquiry into mine safety to examine past issues and improve future outcomes.

“I wholeheartedly back the bill. I want to make sure there is no blame game. I want to ensure that in the end the community is safer and that for years to come workers can go home and tell their families they are safe.”— 2020-03-17View Hansard

As shadow minister, stated the LNP would not oppose the bill because they place the health and safety of resource workers as highest priority, while criticising the government's handling of mine safety issues and calling for more transparency.

“The LNP will not be opposing this legislation because we place the health and safety of our natural resources workers as the highest priority for that industry.”— 2020-02-04View Hansard

Supports passing the mine safety laws this week as crucial legislation, while criticising the government for refusing a full parliamentary inquiry and for delays in tabling independent review reports into mining fatalities.

“We believe that the crucial mine safety laws currently before this parliament must be passed this week. The government needs to get on with the job and pass these important mine safety amendments with the Resources Safety and Health Queensland Bill.”— 2020-03-17View Hansard

Supported the bill as an essential part of regulatory reform following eight deaths at mine sites and the re-emergence of coal workers' pneumoconiosis, arguing the old regulatory framework failed and needed structural change.

“In light of the eight deaths at mine sites since July 2018 and in light of the terrible toll of CWP, it is clear that we need change. This minister is delivering that change.”— 2020-02-04View Hansard

As Minister, moved and defended the bill which establishes Resources Safety and Health Queensland as an independent statutory body to protect resources workers, separate from the department that promotes mining.

“The bill delivers on the Palaszczuk government's commitment to a regulatory framework that strengthens worker trust, ensures independence and transparency and achieves increased accountability and oversight of regulatory performance.”— 2020-03-17View Hansard

As committee member, stated the LNP would not oppose the legislation following the eight tragic deaths, while raising concerns about whether structural changes alone would fix the systemic failures and noting the need for skilled inspectors on the ground.

“We will not be opposing this legislation. On the back of the eight tragic deaths in the mining industry recently, this needs to be addressed.”— 2020-02-04View Hansard

Spoke as a committee member with personal family connections to mining, supporting the establishment of an independent resources safety authority as key to avoiding accidents, particularly fatal ones.

“I support the Resources Safety and Health Queensland Bill 2019, as it will establish an independent resources and health safety authority, which is a key to avoiding accidents in our mining industry, particularly fatal accidents.”— 2020-02-04View Hansard

As committee member, stated the LNP would not oppose the legislation because they place worker safety as highest priority, while raising concerns about the independence of the commissioner due to reliance on RSHQ for staffing.

“I note that the LNP will not be opposing this legislation because we place the safety of the more than 54,000 Queensland mining and resources workers as our highest priority.”— 2020-02-04View Hansard

Supported the bill as part of the Labor Party's proud legacy of protecting workers, emphasising that the role of protecting workers must be separate from the role of growing the resources sector.

“Establishing Resources Safety and Health Queensland as a statutory body ensures that the role of protecting workers in the resources sector is separate to the role of growing the mining and resources sector, which is as it should be.”— 2020-02-04View Hansard

As committee member, stated the LNP supports passing the legislation to take immediate action on worker safety following eight deaths and declining mine safety inspections.

“We must take immediate action and ensure that the safety of workers is the highest priority. That is why the LNP supports the passing of this important legislation.”— 2020-02-04View Hansard

As a Bowen Basin member representing mining towns, expressed relief that action was being taken but frustration that it took eight deaths to get government attention, stating the LNP would not oppose the bill.

“I will be standing shoulder to shoulder with mining constituents on this because it is truly a matter of life and death. The LNP will not be opposing this bill for that very reason.”— 2020-02-04View Hansard

Strongly supported the bill as establishing a strong regulator at arm's length from the industry it regulates, offering condolences to families of the eight men killed and praising the government's mine safety reforms.

“Resources Safety and Health Queensland will form a new, independent safety and health regulator statutory body that will be a strong regulator with teeth and, importantly, be at arm's length from the industry it is regulating.”— 2020-02-04View Hansard

As a former member of the Coal Workers' Pneumoconiosis Select Committee, strongly supported the bill, noting the heartbreaking testimonies of black lung victims and commending the CFMEU for their advocacy.

“It is for those families and victims of black lung disease and the safety of those tens of thousands of workers in the resource sector that I support this bill. We must never see a repeat of this terrible period of history.”— 2020-02-04View Hansard

As a former member of the CWP Select Committee, strongly supported the bill as an important step to ensure no worker is ever diagnosed with coal workers' pneumoconiosis again, addressing the collective regulatory failure that allowed the disease to go undetected for decades.

“That failure to regulate and enforce independently stops with the passage of this bill. This gives effect to the goal of ensuring that no worker is ever diagnosed with CWP again.”— 2020-02-04View Hansard

As a former mine worker, strongly supported the bill based on personal experience in the industry, emphasising the need to change the culture so workers can report safety concerns without fear of retribution.

“This legislation has been pushed into the House and it has been forced by the workers. I must give credit to the CFMEU for the hard work they have done to work with the Labor government to get this legislation where it is today.”— 2020-02-04View Hansard

With family members working across the Bowen Basin mining industry, strongly supported the bill as necessary to ensure workers come home safely, emphasising that safety and people must come before profits.

“We must continually focus on our laws and our regulations to ensure we keep our mining industry modern and safe.”— 2020-02-04View Hansard

Stated the LNP would not oppose the bill and supported needed change for worker safety, while criticising the government's track record on mine safety including reduced inspections and the advisory committee's failure to meet.

“I join with my colleagues in the LNP to say to those opposite that, if safety is important, this bill could be the starting point of ensuring such and let us get on with the job.”— 2020-02-04View Hansard

Supported the bill as essential for protecting mine workers who are family and community members, emphasising that health and safety is paramount for the Palaszczuk government.

“The health and safety of all workers is paramount for this Labor government.”— 2020-02-04View Hansard

Supported the bill to ensure miners come home safely, drawing on his experience as a teacher in mining communities and the anxiety children faced when hearing about mine incidents.

“All speakers in the debate of this bill today agree that this is about making sure that miners who go to work and do their job come home at night.”— 2020-02-04View Hansard

Supported the bill as ensuring every Queenslander can feel safe at work and confident they will return home to loved ones, acknowledging the victims and families affected by mining fatalities and black lung disease.

“Every Queenslander deserves to feel safe at work and to feel confident that they will make it back home to their loved ones. It is about workers and it is about their families and their communities.”— 2020-02-04View Hansard