BRISBANE, Queensland, April 2 -- The Queensland Cabinet issued text of the following statement:
Minister for Natural Resources and Mines, Minister for Manufacturing and Minister for Regional and Rural Development
The Honourable Dale Last
Resources Safety and Health Queensland review to restore confidence on worker safety
* Crisafulli Government launches comprehensive review into Resources Safety and Health Queensland (RSHQ).
* Review to consider thestructure and function of RSHQ to deliver the best safety outcomes for workers.
* Mr Ken Singer appointed as the Interim Commissioner for Resources Safety and Health, putting experienced leadership at the helm.
* Position was left vacant by Labor foralmost a year, putting safety and confidence at risk
The Crisafulli Government is restoring integrity, leadership and accountability to Queensland's resources safety framework, with the appointment of an Interim Commissioner for Resources Safety and Health, and the launch of a comprehensive review into the state's health and safety regulatory model.
The former Labor Government left the position of Resources Safety and Health Commissioner vacant for nearly a year - and when they finally filled the role - their appointee resigned within weeks, putting the safety of resource workers in limbo.
The Crisafulli Government has appointed Mr Ken Singer as Interim Commissioner for Resources Safety and Health while RSHQ's effectiveness is put under the microscope.
Ken Singer is highly respected and brings experienced, credible leadership to the role with almost four decades of experience in the mining sector, from underground coal mines to senior regulatory and safety leadership roles.
Mr 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.
The review will look at the role of the regulator, and whether any modifications to the existing model, or any alternative model, would be more effective in ensuring and improving resources safety and health outcomes.
Minister for Natural Resources and Mines Dale Last said the review of RSHQ and appointment of Ken Singer as Interim Commissioner for Resources Safety and Health would fix the mess left by Labor on worker safety.
"Regional Queenslanders rely on a strong resources sector, and everyone that works in the industry deserves to come home safe. But Labor's chaotic approach put worker safety and public confidence at risk," Minister Last said.
"Fixing this mess has been my priority since day one. We've gone through a thorough and diligent process to avoid the failures made by Labor.
"The Crisafulli Government is doing the hard work to keep workers safe and ensure the regulatory environment in our state is working as effectively as Queenslanders expect.
"RSHQ's current model has been in place since 2020. Now is the right time for a stocktake, to ensure it can deliver the best safety outcomes for workers in the resources industry.
"This review will be consultative, engaging industry, safety experts, government agencies and unions.
"The appointment of Ken Singer and the launch of this review marks an important reset that puts safety, credibility, and trust back at the heart of our resources safety system."
The review of RSHQ will be led by Professor Susan Johnston and will commence in June.
ENDS
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Disclaimer: Curated by HT Syndication.
