Resources Safety and Health Queensland and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2026

Introduced: 3/3/2026By: Hon D Last MPStatus: 2nd reading adjourned

Work & Employment Business & Economy Regional Queensland

This summary was generated by AI and has not yet been reviewed by a human.

Plain English Summary

This is an omnibus bill covering multiple policy areas.

Overview

This bill reforms the governance of Queensland's mining and resources safety regulator (RSHQ), expands the Land Access Ombudsman's dispute resolution role while keeping it government-funded, and streamlines mining tenement administration. It responds to a 2025 independent review that found gaps in RSHQ's oversight, accountability and enforcement.

Who it affects

Mining, quarrying and gas workers benefit from a strengthened safety regulator. Mining tenement holders get simpler renewal processes. Landholders dealing with resource companies retain access to free dispute resolution.

Mining safety regulator governance

Abolishes the Commissioner for Resources Safety and Health and replaces the role with a five-member governing board. The board sets RSHQ's strategy, oversees the CEO, and coordinates safety advisory committees. These committees regain their former power to review the effectiveness of safety legislation and standards.

Five-member RSHQ Board established to provide strategic direction and oversight of the safety regulator
Commissioner for Resources Safety and Health role abolished — functions transferred to the board
Safety advisory committees can again review the effectiveness of mining safety laws, regulations and standards
Board members chair the Coal Mining and Mining Safety advisory committees, creating a direct reporting line to the board and Minister

Land Access Ombudsman

Supports the LAO's transition to a statutory body with expanded dispute resolution functions for land access agreements between resource companies and landholders. The proposed industry levy and cost recovery fees are repealed — the LAO remains government-funded at about $622,000 per year.

Industry levy and cost recovery fees repealed — LAO stays free for landholders and resource companies
LAO gains expanded voluntary dispute resolution during negotiation of land access agreements
CEO of Coexistence Queensland becomes the LAO, and CQ members become the LAO advisory council
LAO can delegate dispute resolution to qualified contractors

Mining tenement administration

Modernises requirements under the Mineral Resources Act 1989 by replacing paper maps with spatial data, simplifying renewal application timeframes, and adding natural justice protections before tenement cancellation for unpaid rent.

Map lodgement requirements replaced with modern spatial data across all tenement types
Minimum lodgement periods for renewal applications removed — holders can apply any time within the existing window
Mining tenements continue in force while a renewal application is being decided
New statutory show cause process required before cancelling a tenement for unpaid rent

How this affects you

Work & Employment

•A new five-member board will oversee Queensland's mining and resources safety regulator, aiming to strengthen accountability and worker protectionsPart 8, Clause 81 (new section 49)The RSHQ Board is responsible for strategic direction and oversight, ensuring RSHQ performs its functions and exercises its powers in a proper, effective and efficient way.
•Safety advisory committees regain the power to review whether mining safety laws, regulations and standards are working effectivelyClauses 5 and 58Reinstates a former committee function to periodically review the effectiveness of the Act, regulations and recognised standards/guidelines.
•The independent review that prompted these changes found gaps in RSHQ's oversight, enforcement and investigation capabilityPart 8The 2025 Johnston Review found limited oversight and accountability, leadership and cultural challenges, gaps in technical expertise, and weaknesses in investigation and enforcement.

Business & Economy

•Mining tenement holders no longer need ministerial approval to lodge renewal applications within a shorter period before expiryClauses 37, 40, 43, 48Removes the requirement for a minimum lodgement timeframe and ministerial approval for a shorter period, reducing administrative burden.
•Mining tenements stay valid while a renewal application is being processed, preventing gaps in authorityClauses 38, 41, 44, 49Despite the ending of the previous term, the mining tenement continues in effect until the renewal is decided, refused, withdrawn, or cancelled.
•Tenement holders must be given a chance to explain before their tenement can be cancelled for unpaid rentClauses 39, 42, 45, 50Introduces a statutory show cause process before mining tenement cancellation for unpaid rent, consistent with other non-compliance types.
•The proposed industry levy to fund the Land Access Ombudsman has been scrapped — the service stays government-fundedPart 5, Clause 32Repeals provisions establishing an industry levy, cost recovery fees and supplementary fees. The LAO will continue to be funded by government.

Regional Queensland

•Landholders in resource regions keep access to a free dispute resolution service when resource activities affect their landPart 4The LAO's expanded voluntary dispute resolution functions during negotiation of land access agreements remain free, with government funding continuing at approximately $622,000 per year.
•Modern spatial data replaces outdated paper map requirements for mining tenements, making processes more efficientClauses 35, 36, 46, 47, 51-55Replaces map-based requirements with spatial data to reflect modern methods of providing this information.

Bill Journey

Introduced3 Mar 2026View Hansard

First Reading3 Mar 2026View Hansard

▸Committee3 Mar 2026View Hansard

Referred to Primary Industries and Resources Committee

Primary Industries and Resources Committeeportfolio

6 members · Chair: Stephen Bennett

Committee Inquiry

Resources Safety and Health Queensland and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2026(bill)

Committee Report17 Apr 2026

Committee report tabled

Second Reading

Referenced Entities

Sectors Affected

Land Management Coal Mining Mineral Mining Petroleum and Gas Quarrying

Classified using AGIFT/ANZSIC Australian government standards