New laws create independent governing board, advisory committees to sharpen oversight of mine safety.
Queensland's resources safety watchdog will undergo sweeping governance reforms under new laws that the state government says are aimed at restoring confidence and improving protections for mine and quarry workers.
The Resources Safety and Health Queensland and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2026, introduced to State Parliament this week, gives effect to the government's response to last year's independent review of the Queensland Resources Safety and Health Regulatory Model by University of Queensland academic Professor Susan Johnston.
That review found that Resources Safety and Health Queensland (RSHQ), established in 2020 as an independent statutory body, lacked effective oversight and clear accountability for safety outcomes.
"The current resources safety and health regulatory model is intrinsically flawed, and does not provide for adequate oversight, and accountability of the regulator," the report concluded.
To address those governance gaps, the Bill proposes to:
- Establish an independent, skills‑based Governing Board for RSHQ
- Transfer the statutory functions of the Commissioner for Resources Safety and Health to the new board
- Strengthen the roles of the Coal Mining Safety and Health Advisory Committee and the Mining Safety and Health Advisory Committee
New Governing Board
Under the changes, the Governing Board will oversee RSHQ's strategy, budget and performance, and the chief executive will report directly to it, rather than operating with only internal executive oversight.
Johnston's review recommended such a body to "provide strategic direction to, and governance over, RSHQ" and to ensure the regulator is genuinely accountable for how it uses its powers.
The report also highlighted serious internal cultural and structural problems that, in its view, limited RSHQ's effectiveness as a safety regulator, including siloed inspectorates, uneven investigative practices and slow progress towards risk‑based regulation.
It recommended that "the RSHQ CEO needs to urgently prioritise understanding and resolving internal cultural issues."
Natural Resources and Mines Minister Dale Last said the government had moved quickly to respond.
"The findings of the review we commissioned into the RSHQ were sobering – every worker deserves to make it home safe to their family," he said.
"The legislation we've introduced is making Queensland safer for every mine worker and will restore confidence in the resources safety framework."
The review documented widespread stakeholder concern across industry, unions and RSHQ staff about the lack of external scrutiny of the regulator.
One RSHQ employee told the review: "Being independent is good, but we also need to be accountable for what we do."
Land Access Ombudsman changes
Meanwhile, separate provisions in the Bill overhaul the funding and remit of the Land Access Ombudsman (LAO), which deals with disputes between resource companies and landholders.
The government will repeal legislation that would have shifted the cost of the LAO onto mining companies, with the office instead to remain government‑funded.
Its independent investigation and mediation functions will be driven by Coexistence Queensland.
"The Crisafulli Government wants to see more investment in Queensland's resources sector which is why we will repeal legislation that would put the onus on mining companies to fund the Land Access Ombudsman, removing unnecessary red tape and financial burden," Last said.
"We are delivering a better lifestyle through a stronger economy by reducing industry costs so mining companies can get on with delivering jobs for Queenslanders."
Johnston's review recommended that reforms to RSHQ be implemented in phases over 18 months, starting with the creation of a Review Implementation Group, appointment of a Governing Board and a redefined commissioner role, followed by a risk‑based regulatory strategy and clearer performance measures focused on safety outcomes rather than activity counts such as inspection numbers.
