Barrister Wayne Pennell will become Queensland’s Mining and Resources Coroner, which the state government says will restore a vital justice service for the resources sector, ensuring inquests are completed in a timely manner.
Pennell, who will be based in Mackay after spending the first 12 months of his tenure in Brisbane, will start as a Coroner on 12 May 2025.
The role of Mining and Resources Coroner comes almost 25 years after the axing and disbandment of the former Mining Warden’s Court in 2001.
The Queensland Government says by re-establishing a specialist Mining and Resources Coroner with powers to investigate fatalities and make recommendations will enhance safety for every worker.
Amendments to the Coroners Act 2003 are being prepared to establish the Mining and Resources Coroner role. Pennell will conduct general coronial duties prior to legislation being introduced.
The Coroner will conduct all coronial investigations into fatalities on the state’s mine, quarry, petroleum, and gas sites.
Attorney-General and Minister for Justice Deb Frecklington says Pennell will not only investigate fatalities but also conduct inquests and make recommendations with the full authority and power of a Coroner’s Court.
Frecklington says the Queensland Government puts victims first and the Mining Coroner will ensure, if there is a tragic accident, that families can get the answers they deserve about what went wrong.
“This will be an expansive role and Mr Pennell, who has experience in policing, law and as a member of various tribunals, is very well qualified to assume this important position,” the Attorney-General says.
“It is also another vital boost to our courts as we deliver on our promise of faster access to justice for victims. When not acting in the capacity of Mining Coroner, Mr Pennell will be available to undertake other coronial duties, which will help to ease pressure on the justice system.”
Minister for Natural Resources and Mines Dale Last adds that establishing the Mining and Resources Coroner position sends a clear message about accountability for safety.
“This is about restoring a vital layer of accountability that Labor walked away from. The reintroduction of the Mining and Resources Coroner sends a clear message that worker safety comes first in Queensland,” the Minister continues.
“Queenslanders rely on a strong and safe resource sector, but safety continues to be one of the top issues raised with me as I travel around the State. The Coroner will be empowered to conduct full and fair investigations with the goal of delivering genuine findings and recommendations that boost safety for every resource worker in Queensland.
“Queensland’s resources sector has no future without its workforce, and we owe it to mining families that the system doesn’t look away when things go wrong.”
Pennell served two decades as an officer in the Queensland Police Service before being admitted to the Bar of the Supreme Court in 2003. In recent years he gained significant experience as a member of the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal, a senior member of the Administrative Appeals Tribunal and as a general member of the Administrative Review Tribunal.
As of 1 May 2025, Safe Work Australia reports 35 workers have been killed, with one death in the mining industry in comparison to 11 mining-related deaths overall in 2024. The five-year average mining work-related deaths in Australia is seven, much less than industries such as transport, agriculture, and construction.
Last year, the inaugural Mining.com.au Masters of Mining ‘Excellence in Safety Shield’ in 2024 was awarded by this news service to Queensland-based Russell Mineral Equipment. The shield recognises a company, individual, or program that is committed to ensuring safety, removing risks, or reducing potential worker harm on a project or mine. The company must have a clean historic record for workplace health, and safety. Individuals must have been involved in a safety function or be clearly advocating for safety for 12 months or longer prior to the nominations’ closing date.
The Queensland Government is restoring its resources safety framework, via appointing an interim Commissioner for Resources Safety and Health, as well as the launch of a comprehensive review into the state’s health and safety regulatory model, as reported by Mining.com.au.
Following the former Labor Government leaving the position of Resources Safety and Health Commissioner vacant for nearly a year — the Queensland Government recently appointed Ken Singer to lead the organisation while Resources Safety and Health Queensland’s (RHSQ) effectiveness is put under the microscope.
Singer will lead the organisation during a comprehensive review of RSHQ, which will examine whether the organisation, the Resources Safety Commissioner, and the supporting advisory committees are structured and functioning in a way that delivers the best safety outcomes for workers in the resources industry.
Write to Adam Orlando at Mining.com.au
Images: Glencore, Unsplash & Safe Work Australia
