Resources Safety and Health Queensland and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2026

Introduced: 3/3/2026By: Hon D Last MPStatus: Referred to Committee

Work & Employment Business & Economy Regional Queensland

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Plain English Summary

This is an omnibus bill covering multiple policy areas.

Overview

This bill reforms the governance of Queensland's resources safety and health regulator, expands the Land Access Ombudsman's dispute resolution role, and modernises mining tenement administration. It responds to a 2025 independent review that found weaknesses in RSHQ's oversight, accountability and enforcement.

Who it affects

Resources industry workers gain stronger regulatory oversight of their workplace safety. Landholders affected by resource activities get access to expanded free dispute resolution. Mining tenement holders benefit from streamlined renewal processes and fairer cancellation procedures.

Resources safety regulator governance

Following a 2025 review that found limited oversight and accountability at RSHQ, the bill abolishes the Commissioner for Resources Safety and Health and replaces the role with a five-member governing board. The board will set strategy, oversee performance and advise the Minister on safety matters. Advisory committees regain their function to review the effectiveness of safety legislation and standards.

Commissioner for Resources Safety and Health abolished and replaced by a five-member RSHQ Board
Board members must collectively cover expertise in governance, safety regulation, investigations, occupational health and financial management
Coal Mining and Mining Safety advisory committees regain the function to review legislation, regulations and standards
Board must meet at least four times a year and publish statements of expectations from the Minister

Land Access Ombudsman expansion

The Land Access Ombudsman transitions to a statutory body with broader dispute resolution powers covering more types of agreements between landholders and resource companies. The proposed industry levy and cost recovery fees are scrapped, with government continuing to fund the service at approximately $622,000 per year.

Land Access Ombudsman becomes a statutory body with expanded dispute resolution functions
Proposed industry levy and cost recovery fees repealed — service remains free and government-funded
LAO can now delegate dispute resolution to qualified contractors to manage workload
Coexistence Queensland members become the LAO advisory council

Mining tenement modernisation

The Mineral Resources Act is updated to replace outdated map lodgement requirements with spatial data, streamline renewal application timeframes, and introduce fairer procedures before tenement cancellation for unpaid rent.

Map lodgement requirements replaced with spatial data across mining tenement processes
Minimum renewal application timeframes removed — holders can apply at any time within the allowed period
Statutory show cause process required before a mining tenement can be cancelled for unpaid rent
Mining tenements continue in force while renewal applications are being decided

How this affects you

Work & Employment

•A new five-member board will oversee Queensland's mining and resources safety regulator, replacing a single Commissioner role found to have limited accountabilityClause 81, new Part 4Establishes the RSHQ Board with functions including strategic direction, oversight, and monitoring of RSHQ's performance.
•Safety advisory committees regain the power to review whether mining safety laws, regulations and standards are working effectivelyClauses 5 and 58Reinstates the committees' function to periodically review the effectiveness of the Act, regulations and recognised standards.
•Board members must collectively have expertise in investigations, enforcement, occupational health, psychosocial hazards and safety regulationClause 81, new section 51(2)Minister must ensure the board has sufficient knowledge across governance, safety regulation, investigations, occupational health and financial management.

Business & Economy

•The proposed industry levy to fund the Land Access Ombudsman has been scrapped — the service will remain government-fundedClause 32Omits MEROLA Act section 50 which established the industry levy, cost recovery fees and supplementary fees.
•Mining tenement holders can no longer have their tenement cancelled for unpaid rent without first being given a chance to respondClauses 39, 42, 45, 50Introduces a statutory show cause process before cancellation for unpaid rent, consistent with other types of non-compliance.
•Mining tenements now stay in force while renewal applications are being decided, removing uncertainty for holdersClauses 38, 41, 44, 49New continuation provisions ensure tenements remain in effect until the renewal application is decided, withdrawn, or the tenement is cancelled.
•Map lodgement requirements are replaced with spatial data across all mining tenement processes, reflecting modern technologyClauses 35, 36, 46, 47, 51-55

Regional Queensland

•Landholders in resource areas get access to expanded free dispute resolution covering more types of agreements with mining and gas companiesPart 4, Clause 20The Land Access Ombudsman's expanded functions include voluntary dispute resolution during negotiation and renegotiation of agreements.
•The Land Access Ombudsman transitions to a permanent statutory body, ensuring the free service continues for regional landholdersParts 3-5The LAO is established as a statutory body with government funding of approximately $622,000 per year.

Bill Journey

Introduced3 Mar 2026

First Reading

Committee

Referenced Entities

Sectors Affected

Public Administration Coal Mining Mineral Mining Petroleum and Gas

Classified using AGIFT/ANZSIC Australian government standards