Changes to reflect a new modern era of mining

Mines and Energy Minister Geoff Wilson has told State Parliament that changes to the state’s mining legislation would revitalise the Mines Inspectorate and offer a better career path and better training for inspectors in Queensland’s mining industry.

Minister Wilson told Parliament last night that the Mining and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2007 would streamline provisions in nine Acts to reflect a new modern era of mining in Queensland.

“Already, a national recruitment drive has swung into action to attract skilled mines inspectors and safety and health specialists to Queensland.

“We want to attract the best people and they will reap the benefits of a better career backed up by better training and remuneration.

“This is about bringing on the next generation of mines inspectors,” Mr Wilson said.

“The Mines Inspectorate will be reinvigorated under a restructure. Already, some senior inspector positions have been taken out of head office and transferred to regional Queensland.

“We’re moving officers out from behind their desks and getting them out into the field.

“A number of occupational health and safety officers have also been appointed to the Mines Inspectorate in the regions,” he said.

The Minister said extra funds of $3 million over the next four years would be injected into important safety initiatives.

“The resources boom has been a magnet for jobs and job security and by investing in the mining industry, we’re investing in the workers at the very coal face. We’re investing in their future,” Mr Wilson said.

Minister Wilson said an Advanced Diploma in Workplace Inspection for safety and health inspectors would also be introduced.

“These changes are exciting for the mining industry. Mines Inspectors now have a career path to match the new training opportunities.

“There’s a new team approach to the way in which inspections are carried out. They are taking a whole-of-site approach to inspections. Instead of inspecting part of a site on a single issue, they also inspect the whole site across a range of issues.

“Queensland has one of the best mine safety records in the world and the best mines safety legislation in Australia.

“But it must continue to be enforced from the ground up – mine by mine, employer by employer, worker by worker,” he said.

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