Resources Safety and Health Queensland Bill 2019

Acknowledged the bill is a step in the right direction for mine safety reform but argued it falls well short of expectations, particularly the failure to establish the Mine Safety and Health Authority in Mackay as recommended by the Coal Workers' Pneumoconiosis Select Committee.

“As I say, it is a step in the right direction but it falls well short of what I expected, what my constituents expected and, more broadly, what the people in the coalmining industry expected, and that was the establishment of the Mine Safety and Health Authority in Mackay.”— 2020-03-17View Hansard

As Minister for Natural Resources, Mines and Energy and bill sponsor, outlined the bill's establishment of RSHQ as an independent statutory body to separate safety regulation from industry promotion, and detailed the new Commissioner role, enhanced advisory committees, and prosecution arrangements.

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

Supported the bill and acknowledged the hard work of the minister, shadow minister and committee members. Backed the shadow minister's call for a full parliamentary inquiry into mine safety while expressing no blame game.

“In conclusion, 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, announced the LNP would not oppose the bill but heavily criticised the government's refusal to hold a full parliamentary inquiry into mine deaths, the declining number of mine safety inspections, and called for stronger safeguards on CEO conflicts of interest and mandatory committee meetings.

“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

Supported the bill's passage as crucial mine safety legislation while criticising the government for delaying its introduction and failing to hold a full parliamentary inquiry or board of inquiry into mine 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 committee chair, outlining five key improvements including RSHQ's independence from the department, the enhanced CEO and Commissioner roles, expanded prosecution powers and the new definition of serious offence.

“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 the responsible minister, defended the bill as delivering on the government's commitment to independent safety regulation and increased accountability for resources workers, and responded to specific issues raised by opposition members during debate.

“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 a committee member, did not oppose the bill but raised concerns from industry submitters about the unfinalised funding model, questioned whether structural change alone would fix systemic failures, and called on the minister to address mental health in the mining industry including approving the New Acland mine stage 3.

“We heard concerns, as I outlined, that this legislation does not automatically fix the flaws that have led to those deaths. If the laws are introduced they need to be enforced.”— 2020-02-04View Hansard

Supported the bill as a committee member, detailing the committee's recommendations and sharing personal connections to the mining industry through his family, and paying tribute to miners killed in recent accidents.

“I agree with the comments made by Queensland's CFMMEU Mining and Energy Division President, Steve Smyth, who said the death was a continuation of the recent 'carnage' in the mining industry and that this situation cannot continue.”— 2020-02-04View Hansard

As a committee member, did not oppose the bill but raised concerns about the independence of the Commissioner, noting the commissioner's reliance on RSHQ for staffing compromises their ability to conduct independent inquiries.

“The LNP shares the concerns of many Queenslanders in relation to mine safety. That is why we fully support the establishment of a parliamentary select committee into the effectiveness of the Queensland government's mine safety regime.”— 2020-02-04View Hansard

Supported the bill, emphasising the importance of separating the role of protecting workers from growing the resources sector, and the enhanced functions of safety advisory committees including five-year strategic plans.

“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 a committee member, supported passing the bill due to the eight mining deaths but expressed disappointment about the rushed Paradise Dam amendments being attached without committee scrutiny.

“One death is too many, but to have eight deaths in the past 18 months means immediate action needs to be taken. The LNP supports the passing of this important legislation.”— 2020-02-04View Hansard

Did not oppose the bill but criticised the government for being slow to act and for using internal reviews as a political ploy. As a Bowen Basin MP, expressed frustration at the rising death toll and the rushed Paradise Dam amendments bypassing the committee process.

“I am frustrated that it has taken the deaths of eight Queenslanders in 18 months to get the government's attention and to have this matter debated in the House.”— 2020-02-04View Hansard

Supported the bill as a Central Queensland member, detailing the government's suite of mine safety reforms including mobile health screening for coal workers and the industrial manslaughter offence, and sharing stories of workers affected by coal dust diseases.

“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

Supported the bill as a former member of the CWP Select Committee, recounting the heartbreaking testimonies of black lung victims and criticising decades of government neglect where medical records were stored in shipping containers and broom closets.

“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

Supported the bill as a former CWP Select Committee member, arguing the collective failure across unions, employers, government and health workers to detect black lung for three decades was driven by a lack of independent regulation and enforcement.

“It is a completely impossible scenario for this disease to have disappeared in Queensland, but collectively we all believed it—unions, employers, the government, health workers—and it is impossible to apportion blame to one individual group.”— 2020-02-04View Hansard

Supported the bill drawing on personal experience as a former mine worker, arguing the legislation would help change the culture so workers could report safety concerns and illnesses without fear of retribution from supervisors.

“I commend this legislation coming through the House because it will help change the culture in the mining industry so that people will actually stand up.”— 2020-02-04View Hansard

Supported the bill as a Bowen Basin member with deep family connections to mining, emphasising the need for an independent regulator with checks and balances to prevent a repeat of the black lung crisis and recent fatalities.

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

Did not oppose the bill but criticised the government's track record on mine safety, including the failure of the safety advisory committee to meet due to gender requirements and declining inspection numbers, and raised concerns about the broad definition of 'serious offence'.

“In a period of unprecedented loss of life within Queensland's resources sector, how can a group tasked with monitoring and improving safety within the sector fail to meet simply because those opposite could not find the right gender mix of members?”— 2020-02-04View Hansard

Supported the bill, noting the industrial manslaughter offence provisions and the importance of requiring statutory office staff to be direct mine company employees so they can raise safety concerns without fear of losing shifts.

“The health and safety of all workers is paramount for this Labor government. I commend the bill to the House.”— 2020-02-04View Hansard

Supported the bill drawing on his experience as a teacher in mining communities, recounting the anxiety children experienced when mine incidents occurred and the importance of independent data collection and continuous improvement.

“This legislation is about protecting workers so that their kids feel safe.”— 2020-02-04View Hansard

Supported the bill as Minister for Employment, acknowledging victims of black lung and mining fatalities, and highlighting the bill's creation of a separate statutory body to ensure genuine independence of the regulator from commercial considerations.

“Every worker in Queensland deserves to come home safe after a day's work. Every worker in Queensland should have faith that the government is doing everything possible to protect their health and safety on the job.”— 2020-02-04View Hansard