A Fresh Start for Queensland: Crisafulli Government delivers on election commitment with Mining & Resources Coroner for safety
Published Thursday, 08 May, 2025 at 03:24 PM
JOINT STATEMENT
Minister for Natural Resources and Mines, Minister for Manufacturing and Minister for Regional and Rural Development
The Honourable Dale Last
Attorney-General and Minister for Justice and Minister for Integrity
The Honourable Deb Frecklington
A Fresh Start for Queensland: Crisafulli Government delivers on election commitment with Mining & Resources Coroner for safety
- North Queensland barrister Wayne Pennell appointed to the State’s new Mining and Resources Coroner.
- The Crisafulli Government is delivering on its promise to put victims first, after Labor axed critical justice service for resources sector.
- Mining Coroner will investigate fatalities and make recommendations to enhance safety for all workers.
Respected barrister Wayne Pennell will become Queensland’s Mining and Resources Coroner, a major step towards giving families closure and answers.
The new role delivers on the Crisafulli Government’s key election commitment to restore a vital justice service for Queensland’s resources sector, ensuring inquests are completed in a timely manner.
Labor put the safety of workers on the line when it axed and disbanded the former Mining Warden’s Court in 2001.
The Crisafulli Government is making safety a priority and re-establishing a specialist Mining and Resources Coroner with powers to investigate fatalities and make recommendations to enhance safety for every worker.
Mr Pennell will be based in Mackay after spending the first 12 months of his tenure in Brisbane.
Amendments to the Coroners Act 2003 are being prepared to establish the Mining and Resources Coroner role.
The Coroner will conduct all coronial investigations into fatalities on the State’s mine, quarry, petroleum and gas sites.
Mr Pennell will conduct general coronial duties prior to legislation being introduced.
Attorney-General and Minister for Justice Deb Frecklington said the Mining and Resources Coroner would not only investigate fatalities but also conduct inquests and make recommendations with the full authority and power of a Coroners Court.
“The Crisafulli Government is delivering on its promise to put 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,” the Attorney-General said.
“Labor might say they stand up for workers, but their actions towards the hard-working men and women in the mining resources sector shows us the disregard they had for preventing incidents on site.
“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.
“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 said establishing the Mining and Resources Coroner position sent 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,” Minister Last said.
“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.
“The Crisafulli Government is restoring trust in the system that was trashed by the former Labor Government, which left the critical position of Resources Safety and Health Commissioner vacant for nearly a year.
“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.”
ENDS
MEDIA CONTACT: Rebecca Nardi 0475 688 124
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
Mr 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 has 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.
Mr Pennell will commence as a Coroner on 12 May 2025.