Primary Industries and Resources Committee
Portfolio CommitteeMembers (6)
Bills Reviewed (5)
Primary Industries and Resources Committee: Report No. 17, 58th Parliament—Resources Safety and Health Queensland and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2026, government response2026-05-12
Primary Industries and Resources Committee: Report No. 17, 58th Parliament—Resources Safety and Health Queensland and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 20262026-04-17
Committee findings
The Primary Industries and Resources Committee examined the bill over about six weeks, receiving 11 submissions and holding a public briefing and hearing with industry peak bodies and unions on 25 March 2026. The committee recommended the bill be passed, finding it appropriately balances competing interests and that any impacts on rights are proportionate and justified. It made three further recommendations about staggering RSHQ board appointment terms and reviewing the legislation within 24 months. Labor opposition members filed a Statement of Reservation opposing key measures, including the abolition of the Commissioner for Resources Safety and Health.
- The bill responds to the 2025 Johnston Review of Queensland's resources safety and health regulatory model, abolishing the Commissioner for Resources Safety and Health and establishing a five-member governance board for Resources Safety and Health Queensland.
- The committee concluded the bill has sufficient regard for the rights and liberties of individuals and that any limits on human rights are proportionate and justified.
- Unions including the Mining and Energy Union told the hearing that the Commissioner had been an effective and visible point of contact for safety concerns, and opposed losing the role.
- Stakeholders such as AgForce and Glendon Farming raised concerns that merging the Land Access Ombudsman role with the CEO of Coexistence Queensland would reduce the Ombudsman's independence and disadvantage landholders.
- Several submitters, including the Australian Workers' Union, raised concerns that the new RSHQ board has no requirement for worker representation and that the Minister can remove board members without reason.
- Industry bodies including Australian Energy Producers criticised the short consultation timeframe, with submissions due in nine business days.
- The committee recommends that the Bill be passed.
- The committee recommends that the department consider whether fixed-term appointment arrangements for members of the Resources Safety and Health Queensland board appropriately support continuity of expertise and governance, and consider whether staggering appointment commencement and end dates would assist in mitigating the risk of simultaneous turnover.
- The committee recommends that the department conduct a review within 24 months of the commencement of the Bill to assess the effectiveness of the legislation in relation to the operation of Resources Safety and Health Queensland.
- The committee recommends that the department conduct a review within 24 months of the commencement of the Bill to assess the effectiveness of the legislation in relation to the operation of the Land Access Ombudsman.
Primary Industries and Resources Committee: Report No. 19, 58th Parliament—Regional Planning Interests (Condamine Alluvium) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 20262026-05-08
Committee findings
The Primary Industries and Resources Committee examined the bill, which makes targeted changes to planning, environmental and resources laws to balance new coal seam gas (CSG) development against protections for groundwater and landholders in the Condamine Alluvium area. After receiving 56 submissions and holding public hearings in Brisbane and Dalby, the committee recommended the bill be passed, but also recommended it be amended to keep the Regional Interests Development Approval (RIDA) process in the area rather than removing it as the bill proposed. Two minority statements were attached: a Statement of Reservation from the Labor Opposition members and a Dissenting Report from Robbie Katter (KAP), who opposed passage entirely.
- Most stakeholders supported the overall objectives of the bill but raised concerns about specific changes, particularly the proposed removal of the RIDA framework from the Condamine Alluvium CSG area.
- The committee found the RIDA process is an important safeguard and negotiation tool for landholders even though it has been used infrequently, and recommended it be retained rather than removed.
- Stakeholders sought clearer guidance on how the new deemed water-quality condition under the Environmental Protection Act and the expanded CSG-induced subsidence compensation framework would work in practice.
- Submitters and the committee identified a need for better data on CSG-induced subsidence and stronger communication with landholders about the new safeguards and dispute resolution options.
- The committee assessed the bill as having sufficient regard for fundamental legislative principles and concluded any limits on human rights were proportionate and justified.
- The committee recommended a post-implementation review 36 months after commencement to test whether the water-quality and subsidence-compensation measures are working.
- The committee recommends that the Bill be passed.
- The committee recommends that the Deputy Premier, Minister for State Development, Infrastructure and Planning and Minister for Industrial Relations amend the Bill to retain the regional interests development approval process within the Condamine Alluvium CSG area.
- The committee recommends that the Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation develop practical guidance materials, including examples and compliance scenarios, to assist stakeholders, including resource authority holders, in understanding how the proposed amendments to the Environmental Protection Act 1994 will apply in practice.
- The committee recommends that the Queensland Government consider allocating additional resources to the Office of Groundwater Impact Assessment to facilitate the generation of more granular data about CSG-induced subsidence in the Condamine Alluvium CSG area.
- The committee recommends that the Department of Natural Resources and Mines, Manufacturing and Regional and Rural Development develop practical guidance materials on the proposed changes to the Mineral and Energy Resources (Common Provisions) Act 2014. This should include guidance on evidentiary matters and baseline measurement and monitoring, to assist stakeholders in understanding what is required to establish an evidence base.
- The committee recommends that the Queensland Government consider expanding communication with landholders to improve awareness, access to information and support relating to the new regulatory framework. This should include communication about the safeguard mechanisms for groundwater extraction, protections against gas migration, and the independent dispute resolution mechanisms available.
- The committee recommends that the Queensland Government commence a post-implementation review of the changes contained in the Bill 36 months after its commencement. This review should include the effectiveness of the deemed condition in protecting water quality and the operation of the CSG-induced subsidence compensation framework.
Primary Industries and Resources Committee: Report No. 10, 58th Parliament—Greenhouse Gas Storage Amendment Bill 20252025-10-17
Committee findings
The Primary Industries and Resources Committee examined the bill and recommended it be passed. The bill amends the Greenhouse Gas Storage Act to enable the conversion and transfer of water supply bores, streamline development approval processes for conversion works, and provide rights of entry to land for decommissioning and rehabilitation activities. The committee considered concerns about the impact on landholders' property rights.
- The bill enables the transfer of ownership of converted water supply bores and streamlines development approval processes
- The bill provides CTSCo with rights of entry to landowners' properties for decommissioning and conversion works, subject to entry notification requirements
- The committee considered human rights implications regarding property rights, including the temporary loss of access to land during conversion activities
- The bill requires CTSCo to obtain signed written consent from landowners before proceeding with conversion and transfer
- The committee recommends that the Bill be passed.
Primary Industries and Resources Committee: Report No. 7, 58th Parliament—Coroners (Mining and Resources Coroner) Amendment Bill 2025, government response2025-10-14
Primary Industries and Resources Committee: Report No. 7, 58th Parliament—Coroners (Mining and Resources Coroner) Amendment Bill 20252025-08-15
Committee findings
The Primary Industries and Resources Committee examined the Coroners (Mining and Resources Coroner) Amendment Bill 2025 and recommended it be passed. The bill establishes the position of a Mining and Resources Coroner to be appointed by the Governor in Council, who would be required to conduct investigations and mandatory inquests for all mining-related reportable deaths. The committee also recommended that the Department of Justice consider publishing information clarifying how suicide deaths, mine dust lung disease-related deaths, and deaths during travel to and from mining sites would be investigated within the coronial framework.
- The bill establishes a dedicated Mining and Resources Coroner position, appointed by the Governor in Council after consultation with the Chief Magistrate and State Coroner
- The Mining and Resources Coroner would be required to conduct mandatory inquests for all mining-related reportable deaths
- The Queensland Law Society supported expanding the scope of the Mining and Resources Coroner's role, including to cover health care-related deaths on mining sites
- The Mining and Electrical Union agreed that health care-related deaths occurring on site should be considered reportable deaths
- Stakeholders raised questions about whether suicide deaths, mine dust lung disease deaths, and travel-related deaths would fall within the coroner's jurisdiction
- The committee recommends that the Bill be passed.
- The committee recommends the Department of Justice consider publishing information clarifying how suicide deaths, mine dust lung disease related deaths, and deaths occurring during travel to and from a mining and resources site, would be investigated within the coronial framework and how these investigations intersect with existing regulatory powers.
Primary Industries and Resources Committee: Report No. 5, 58th Parliament—Queensland Institute of Medical Research Bill 20252025-07-11
Committee findings
The Health, Environment and Innovation Committee examined two bills referred together: the Queensland Institute of Medical Research Bill 2025 and the Health Legislation Amendment Bill (No. 2) 2025. The committee recommended both be passed. The QIMR Bill modernises the governance of the Queensland Institute of Medical Research, adding commercialisation as a statutory function and allowing non-employees to receive incentive payments for intellectual property contributions. The Health Legislation Amendment Bill (No. 2) clarifies pharmacy business ownership regulations, transitions the state dust lung disease register to a national registry, and enables mosquito trapping to detect Japanese encephalitis virus.
- The QIMR Bill adds commercialisation of intellectual property as a statutory function and allows incentive payments to non-employees who contribute to intellectual property development
- The Health Legislation Amendment Bill (No. 2) addresses implementation issues in the Pharmacy Business Ownership Act 2024, closing a loophole allowing non-pharmacists to hold beneficial interests in pharmacy businesses through trusts
- The bill transitions the Queensland Notifiable Dust Lung Disease Register to the National Occupational Respiratory Disease Registry, removing duplicative reporting obligations for medical practitioners
- The committee found both bills compatible with human rights and consistent with fundamental legislative principles
- The committee recommends that the Bill be passed.
Inquiries (7)
Other Reports (18)
Primary Industries and Resources Committee: Report No 21, 58th Parliament—Subordinate Legislation tabled between 4 March 2026 and 24 March 2026
Primary Industries and Resources Committee: Report No. 20, 58th Parliament—Subordinate legislation tabled between 11 February 2026 and 3 March 2026
Primary Industries and Resources Committee: Report No. 18, 58th Parliament—Subordinate legislation tabled between 10 December 2025 and 10 February 2026
Primary Industries and Resources Committee: Report No. 16, 58th Parliament—Inquiry into Sugarcane Bioenergy Opportunities in Queensland
Primary Industries and Resources Committee: Report No. 15, 58th Parliament—Subordinate Legislation tabled between 19 November 2025 and 9 December 2025
Primary Industries and Resources Committee: Report No. 13, 58th Parliament—Subordinate legislation tabled between 27 August 2025 and 18 November 2025: Erratum
Primary Industries and Resources Committee: Report No. 14, 58th Parliament—Examination of Auditor-General Report 14: 2023-24 – Queensland’s regions 2023
Coroners (Mining and Resources Coroner) Amendment Bill 2025Primary Industries and Resources Committee: Report No. 13, 58th Parliament—Subordinate legislation tabled between 27 August 2025 and 18 November 2025
Coroners (Mining and Resources Coroner) Amendment Bill 2025Primary Industries and Resources Committee: Report No. 12, 58th Parliament—Annual Report 2024-25
Primary Industries and Resources Committee: Report No. 11, 58th Parliament—Subordinate legislation tabled between 25 June 2025 and 26 August 2025
Primary Industries and Resources Committee: Report No. 9, 58th Parliament—Subordinate legislation tabled between 30 April 2025 and 24 June 2025
Primary Industries and Resources Committee: Report No. 8, 58th Parliament—2025-26 Budget Estimates—Volume of Additional Information
Primary Industries and Resources Committee: Report No. 8, 58th Parliament—2025-26 Budget Estimates
Primary Industries and Resources Committee: Report No. 6, 58th Parliament—Subordinate legislation tabled on 29 April 2025
Primary Industries and Resources Committee: Report No. 4, 58th Parliament—Subordinate legislation tabled on 12 March 2025
Primary Industries and Resources Committee: Report No. 3, 58th Parliament—Subordinate legislation tabled on 18 February 2025
Primary Industries and Resources Committee: Report No. 2, 58th Parliament—Subordinate legislation tabled between 11 September 2024 and 28 November 2024
Primary Industries and Resources Committee: Report No. 1, 58th Parliament—Subordinate legislation tabled between 20 August 2024 and 10 September 2024