False

Committee's report

The committee tabled its report on 18 October 2019. The government's response to the committee's report was tabled on 8 January 2020. The Bill was passed with government amendments by the Queensland Parliament on 17 March 2020.

About the Bill

On 4 September 2019, Hon Dr Anthony Lynham, Minister for Natural Resources, Mines and Energy, introduced the Resources Safety and Health Queensland Bill 2019 (Bill). The Bill was referred to the State Development, Natural Resources and Agricultural Industry Development Committee for detailed consideration and report by 18 October 2019.

The objective of the Bill is to establish a revised regulatory framework for resources safety and health in Queensland with the aim of engendering worker trust, ensuring independence and transparency, and enhancing independent oversight of the performance of the resources safety and health regulator.

The Bill proposes to establish an independent statutory body called Resources Safety and Health Queensland (RSHQ). The Bill also proposes to create an independent Commissioner for Resources Safety and Health with functions across all resources sectors and will replace the existing Commissioner for Mine Safety and Health position. The Bill would amend the Coal Mine Safety and Health Act 1999 and the Mining and Quarrying Safety and Health Act 1999 to enhance the functions of the existing Coal Mining Safety and Health Advisory Committee and Mining Safety and Health Advisory Committee.

The Bill also proposes that the Work Health and Safety prosecutor be utilised to prosecute safety and health offences under the Coal Mining Safety and Health Act 1999, the Mining and Quarrying Safety and Health Act 1999, the Explosives Act 1999 and the Petroleum and Gas (Production and Safety) Act 2001. The Work Health and Safety prosecutor would have sole responsibility for prosecuting serious offences under these Acts, while other offences may be prosecuted by the Work Health and Safety prosecutor or the chief executive officer of RSHQ.

Timeline