Dr Anthony Lynham
October 31, 2018
The State Government has ramped up maximum penalties to $3.9 million for mining companies that breach safety regulations.
As well, mines inspectors will be able to hit mine operators with fines of up to $130,550 without taking them to court.
Mines Minister Dr Anthony Lynham told Parliament on Wednesday that non-compliance with safety and health obligations would not be tolerated.
“This helps to protect those who work day after day managing the unique hazards and risks of mining, and the social fabric of families and communities around our mining workers,” Dr Lynham said.
“It also helps to bolster the reputation of the mining industry which forms a substantial part of Queensland’s economic prosperity.”
Under changes to the Coal Mining Safety and Health Act 1999 and the Mining and Quarrying Safety and Health Act 1999, Mines Inspectors will now have more powers to take direct action on health and safety issues. The changes will also require more upskilling and training of onsite safety specialists.
Key changes include:
- New powers for inspectors to impose out-of-court penalties of up to $130,550 for serious safety and health breaches
- Increased maximum penalties for court-based prosecutions of up to $3.9 million for corporations and $783,300 or three years’ imprisonment for individuals for breaches of safety and health obligations
- Powers to suspend or cancel statutory certificates of competency if holders fail to meet their obligations
- Improved integration of contractor safety and health management in a single safety and health management system at a mine
- Training requirements for mine ventilation officers
- A requirement for small opal or gem mines with five or more workers to have safety and health management systems
- Adding health surveillance of current and former mining workers to the objects of the mining safety and health acts to reflect the importance of identifying occupational health issues early.
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The Opposition criticised the ALP for guillotining the debate on the mine safety legislation.
LNP Shadow Minister for Natural Resources Dale Last the State Government was “running from scrutiny” and “refusing to answer questions on their own legislation”.
“We still had members wanting to debate the Bill on behalf of their electorates, but Labor abused their majority in the House to guillotine debate,” Mr Last said.
“This is an important Bill about the safety of our mine workers. Every member of the House had the right to speak on the Bill but were denied the opportunity by this undemocratic Labor Government.
“It’s the second time in 24 hours Labor have jumped early and cut debate on important legislation.
“By cutting the debate, Labor’s Natural Resources Minister Anthony Lynham was not required to answer any questions that were raised by MPs during the debate – effectively giving the Bill a free ride through Parliament.”
