The Queensland Government has introduced legislation to reform Resources Safety and Health Queensland (RSHQ), to restore confidence for Queensland’s resources workers.
Reforms include establishing a new independent Governing Board to oversee RSHQ and strengthening roles of advisory committees.
The legislation proposes to address deficiencies and deliver a safety regulator by establishing an independent skills-based governing board to strengthen oversight and accountability, streamline advisory structures and remove duplication, as well as transferring the statutory functions of the Commissioner for Resources Safety and Health to the new board to provide clearer lines of responsibility and stronger accountability.
It will also increase the Coal Mining Safety and Health Advisory Committee and the Mining Safety and Health Advisory Committee functions to provide independent advice and enhance resources safety and health policy.
The Resources Safety and Health Queensland and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2026 would implement the Queensland Government’s response to the 2025 independent review into RSHQ.
The review, prepared by University of Queensland Professor Susan Johnston, found serious weaknesses in RSHQ’s governance, confusion around roles, and a lack of clear accountability.
In June 2025, the state government implemented steps to restore trust in Queensland’s resources safety framework. This was done through releasing a terms of reference for a comprehensive review into the regulatory model for RSHQ.
Minister for Natural Resources and Mines Dale Last says the findings of the review commissioned into the RSHQ were “sobering”.
“The legislation we’ve introduced is making Queensland safer for every mine worker and will restore confidence in the resources safety framework,” Last says.
According to SafeWork Australia, 15 workers have been killed in the nation as of 26 February 2026. Out of the 15 deaths, three are connected to the mining industry.
Write to Aaliyah Rogan at Mining.com.au
Images: RSHQ
