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New industrial manslaughter laws have established one of Australia’s “toughest regimes” of work health and safety regulations, as the Queensland government introduces experts to an inquiry set to investigate a spate of deaths and injuries on mining sites.
Recent laws introduced in Queensland will bring the mining industry in line with the other state’s workers, in a move commended by the legal profession. The penalties now include 20 years’ imprisonment for individuals and maximum fines of more than $13 million.
He said the ability for senior officers of mining or quarry companies to be tried for industrial manslaughter is an “essential step” in ensuring workplace safety in these industries.
“The message is now clear that if a Queensland mine worker dies as a result of [employer’s] negligence then they can expect severe financial penalties and significant jail time,” he said.
This comes as the Queensland government establishes a mine safety board inquiry that will investigate more than 40 methane gas incidents in underground coal mines.
Mines Minister Dr Anthony Lynham announced the board members would include former and now-retired District Court Judge Terry Martin SC. The inquiry follows an underground gas explosion at Grosvenor Mine near Moranbah, which put five miners in hospital.
“Queensland has the world’s toughest mine safety and health laws after the five years of sweeping reform under the Palaszczuk government,” Mr Lynham said. “I look forward to this inquiry helping us bring home every Queensland worker to their friends and family at the end of their working day.”
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Naomi Neilson is a senior journalist with a focus on court reporting for Lawyers Weekly.
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