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committee's report

The committee tabled its report on 23 October 2017.

About the Bill

On 7 September 2017, the Minister for State Development and Minister for Natural Resources and Mines, Hon Dr Anthony Lynham, introduced the Mines Legislation (Resources Safety) Amendment Bill 2017 (the Bill).

In accordance with Standing Order 131 of the Standing Rules and Orders of the Legislative Assembly, the Bill was referred to the Infrastructure, Planning and Natural Resources Committee (the committee) for detailed consideration. The committee was required to report by 23 October 2017.

The Bill proposes to address the following 15 matters identified for improvement in the resources safety and health regulatory framework to increase worker safety and health. The Bill’s purpose is to provide for greater transparency and accountability; improvements to safety and health management systems; and stronger enforcement and compliance powers by implementing amendments to the Coal Mining Safety and Health Act 1999 (CMSHA) and Mining and Quarrying Safety and Health Act 1999 (MQSHA) in relation to:

• ventilation officer competencies
• inspector powers including inspector workplace entry
• manufacturer, supplier, designer and importer notification requirements
• contractor and service provider management
• advisory committees and Board of Examiners membership
• safety and health management system (SHMS) requirements
• register to be kept by board of examiners
• health surveillance
• notification of diseases
• release of information
• penalties
• officer obligations
• continuing professional development
• suspension or cancellation of certificates of competency and site senior executive (SSE) notices, and
• civil penalties.

Timeline