Mineral and Energy Resources and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2020

Confirmed LNP support for the bill while raising concerns about abandoned mine rehabilitation processes and the suitability of operator assessments under the Environmental Protection Act.

“The opposition will be supporting the bill.”— 2020-05-20View Hansard

As the Minister responsible, introduced and strongly advocated for the bill, emphasising that it would make industrial manslaughter an offence in mines consistent with other Queensland workplaces and protect workers' safety.

“The loss of one life in the workplace is one life too many. The loss of any life in the mining and quarrying industry is simply not acceptable.”— 2020-05-19View Hansard

Supported the bill, particularly the industrial manslaughter provisions and the requirement for statutory office holders to be permanently employed, drawing on his experience on the black lung select committee.

“I fully support the extension of industrial manslaughter provisions to this industry. When one of your co-workers or someone in your industry dies, for any reason, it really impacts on everybody in that industry.”— 2020-05-20View Hansard

As shadow minister, stated the LNP would not oppose the bill given its safety objectives, but heavily criticised the minister's handling of mine safety, the lack of consultation on statutory office holder requirements, and raised concerns about fundamental legislative principles being breached.

“I make it crystal clear today that this legislation on its own will not fix the problems. There are still major concerns and issues associated with mine safety in this state.”— 2020-05-19View Hansard

Strongly supported the bill as a continuation of the Palaszczuk government's mine safety reforms, emphasising that mining workers deserve the same industrial manslaughter protections as other Queensland workers.

“Mining workers deserve the same protections that other workers in all Queensland workplaces have already under the Palaszczuk government, no thanks to those opposite.”— 2020-05-20View Hansard

As committee chair, strongly supported the bill and emphasised the importance of protecting workers from reprisals for raising safety concerns, drawing on testimony from Moranbah hearings where workers spoke of fear of speaking out.

“I cannot bear to think that men and women would be subject to such injuries in the future in workplaces in Queensland, which is why it is crucial that we pass this bill.”— 2020-05-19View Hansard

Supported the objective of mine safety but raised concerns about the broad definition of 'senior management' for industrial manslaughter, the exclusion of contractors from statutory office holder roles, and practical implementation difficulties.

“The question remains: is what we are doing going to solve the problem? Will it lead to the safest mine sites in the world being in Queensland or will it lead to a bureaucratic model that is difficult to manage, that increases the costs associated with the resource industry and does not really achieve any outcome in terms of safety?”— 2020-05-20View Hansard

As committee member, stated LNP places worker safety at highest priority and would not oppose the bill, but raised significant concerns about industrial manslaughter provisions capturing operational workers and the lack of consultation on statutory office holder employment requirements.

“Unfortunately, this bill is more about being seen to do something than working and consulting with the entire industry to address the underlying problems and failures.”— 2020-05-19View Hansard

Strongly supported the bill as extending the industrial manslaughter protections she helped introduce in 2017 as Minister for Industrial Relations, criticising the LNP for opposing those original provisions and warning they would repeal them if in government.

“Beware, Queenslanders. Beware, miners. Those opposite say, 'Oh, no, we're not going to oppose the bill,' but I have not heard much from them about supporting it.”— 2020-05-20View Hansard

Supported the bill drawing on his personal connection to mining through his family history in Ipswich and the region's mining memorials, praising the government's commitment to mine safety reform.

“It is an obligation of all governments, particularly Labor governments, to make laws that ensure a safe work environment for our workers and that they safely return home to their families at the end of their working day.”— 2020-05-19View Hansard

Supported industrial manslaughter provisions but opposed the bill overall due to changes to statutory office holder roles and the government's failure to implement black lung report recommendations. Accused the government of not being serious about mine safety.

“Coalminers and their families are being treated with contempt. This government is not serious about mine safety. They are only interested in mine royalties—yes, the money, the dollars, the dosh.”— 2020-05-20View Hansard

Stated the LNP would not oppose the bill but heavily criticised the minister's handling of the issue, the lack of consultation on statutory office holder provisions, and warned that punitive laws may create a culture of non-reporting that could increase workplace deaths.

“This bill is an inadequate response to an issue that is of concern to all Queenslanders. It appears that the minister is more interested in getting media headlines than actually addressing the issues that are getting mineworkers killed.”— 2020-05-19View Hansard

Acknowledged the importance of mine safety while criticising the government for taking a simplistic approach, raising concerns about the broad definition of 'senior officer', the lack of consultation on statutory office holder changes, and potential adverse unintended consequences.

“Whilst every effort must be made to protect workers and improve workplace safety, particularly in the resources industry, it is overwhelmingly apparent that the Palaszczuk state Labor government has once again taken a simplistic approach to industrial reform, choosing to ignore many legitimate concerns from a variety of stakeholders and potentially enabling a number of adverse and unintended consequences.”— 2020-05-20View Hansard

Strongly supported the bill as necessary to protect mining workers, emphasising the importance of secure employment for safety officers to raise concerns without fear of reprisal, and the impact of mining accidents on communities like Moranbah.

“There needs to be an assurance that statutory office holders can raise safety issues and make reports about dangerous conditions without fear of reprisal or impact on their employment.”— 2020-05-19View Hansard

Supported the bill's introduction of tough industrial manslaughter penalties and mine safety reforms, paying tribute to victims of mine incidents and calling for permanency of mining jobs.

“This bill will introduce tough new laws under which mining executives could face up to 20 years imprisonment and fines of up to $13 million if found guilty of criminal negligence.”— 2020-05-20View Hansard

Stated the LNP would not oppose the bill in the interests of mining safety, but expressed frustration at the government's delays and criticised the requirement for statutory office holders to be direct employees, arguing it misunderstands the mining workforce model.

“I am relieved to see this bill finally come before the House, but I am angry that the Labor government has fiddled and dragged its feet while lives have been lost.”— 2020-05-19View Hansard

Strongly supported the bill, emphasising the need for cultural change in mining safety and that the industrial manslaughter provisions would hold senior officers accountable, drawing on his visits to mines in North Queensland.

“I am not prepared to accept one death, let alone an average of 12 deaths over the next five years, in the mining industry. This House will do everything it can to ensure that we do not lose any more miners.”— 2020-05-19View Hansard

Supported the bill based on his experience on committees examining black lung disease and labour hire practices, emphasising that safety is the most important issue and that the culture of workers being afraid to speak out must change.

“I support legislation when it comes to safety. I acknowledge the CFMMEU. I had a lot to do with the CFMMEU in my coalmining years. They have constantly persevered with issues with safety.”— 2020-05-19View Hansard

As Minister for Regional Development and former industrial worker, strongly supported the bill, emphasising Labor's proud history of protecting workers and that the industrial manslaughter provisions send a clear message about the paramount importance of worker safety.

“The message is clear: the safety and health of workers in Queensland is paramount.”— 2020-05-19View Hansard

As committee member, heavily criticised the bill's process and the minister's handling of mine safety while not explicitly opposing the bill, calling for the minister to be sacked and questioning the lack of consultation on statutory office holder requirements.

“This minister should be sacked. The cloud of uncertainty for the safety of these men and women who work in the resources sector will hang over this industry while ever this minister is in charge.”— 2020-05-19View Hansard

Strongly supported the bill and defended the government's approach, criticising the LNP for picking holes in every aspect while claiming not to oppose it, and emphasising that worker safety and job security are linked.

“Every worker who enters a mine site deserves to go home to their family. Every worker deserves to work in a workplace that is focused on workers' safety, not as an afterthought, not as a price of doing business but as the primary goal.”— 2020-05-19View Hansard