Department of Natural Resources, Mines and Energy (DNRME)
OrganisationReferenced in 2 bills
Resources Safety and Health Queensland Bill 2019
This bill creates Resources Safety and Health Queensland (RSHQ), a new independent regulator for workplace safety in Queensland's mining, quarrying, explosives and petroleum and gas industries. It was introduced after an inquiry into coal workers' pneumoconiosis (black lung disease) found that having safety regulation inside the same department that promotes the mining industry created a conflict of interest. The bill separates safety regulation from industry promotion and strengthens prosecution and oversight arrangements.
Mineral, Water and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2018
This bill makes wide-ranging changes to Queensland's mineral resources and water management laws. It improves dispute resolution between landholders and resource companies, requires climate change to be explicitly considered in water planning, recognises Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural values in water plans, and gives the government new emergency powers to address urgent water quality problems.