False

Inquiry Lapsed

The Committee of the Legislative Assembly referred this Auditor-General’s report to the State Development, Natural Resources and Agricultural Industry Development Committee on 6 February 2020. On 21 May 2020, the Legislative Assembly amended Schedule 6 of the Standing Rules and Orders of the Legislative Assembly, establishing the Natural Resources, Agricultural Industry Development and Environment Committee. This Auditor-General's report was then referred to the Natural Resources, Agricultural Industry Development and Environment Committee for consideration.

Overview

Role of the Auditor-General

The role of the Auditor-General is to provide Parliament with independent assurance of public sector accountability and performance. This is achieved through reporting to Parliament on the results of its financial and performance audits.

About the Auditor-General Report

The purpose of the audit was to assess how effectively public sector entities have implemented recommendations from the following independent reviews aimed at reducing the risk and occurrence of mine dust lung disease:

• Monash Centre for Occupational and Environmental Health, Review of Respiratory Component of the Coal Mine Workers’ Health Scheme, July 2016

• Coal Workers’ Pneumoconiosis Select Committee reports:
  • Report No. 2, Inquiry into the re-identification of Coal Workers' Pneumoconiosis in Queensland, May 2017
  • Report No. 4, Inquiry into occupational respirable dust issues, September 2017.

The Queensland Audit Office (QAO) assessed how effectively the responsible public sector entities are monitoring and reporting on progress, as well as addressed a recommendation from the Monash review to conduct an independent three-year review of Queensland Government Coal Mine Workers’ Health Scheme. The QAO found that the government has made progress in implementing 61 of the 89 recommendations.

The QAO recommended continued public reporting on progress and decision making regarding recommendations;,and creating consistent, documented definitions of implementation status within and between entities.

Referral to Committee 

Standing Order 194B provides that the Committee of the Legislative Assembly shall as soon as practicable after a report of the Auditor-General is tabled in the Assembly refer that report to the relevant portfolio committee(s) for consideration. 

The committee is responsible under section 94 of the Parliament of Queensland Act 2001 for assessing the integrity, economy, efficiency and effectiveness of government financial management by examining government financial documents and considering reports of the Auditor-General.

Timeline

Public briefing: Monday 27 April 2020 at 10.30 am - transcript - broadcast (starts at 58:33)
Public hearing:  Monday 11 May 2020 at 11.40 am - transcript - broadcast