The Queensland Resources Council has made a submission to the government that reform is needed to bring the state’s safety regulations in line with that of New South Wales and a proposed national framework for occupational health and safety.

In Queensland, the Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union currently nominates three safety inspectors who can order the closure of a mine over a safety incident, while in NSW that decision is made by a government-appointed inspector.

This would effectively ensure that safety is not used as a pretext to close down a mine.

The unions maintain that the state’s enviable safety record will be at risk if its existing regulatory regime is changed.

BMA is under pressure to contain operating costs as lower prices and the effects of industrial action forced it to mothball its Norwich Park mine.

President of the CFMEU’s Queensland branch Stephen Smyth told the AFR that union members were worried that the “state’s hard-fought-for safety regulation was in danger of becoming secondary to company production targets”

“Multinational mining companies can be trusted with workplace safety no more than the Newman government has a mandate to change our industry-specific legislation.

“Working in one of the most dangerous industries, our members are very aware of what can happen when safety is managed from an office rather than at the coalface.”

QRC’s three-year safety strategy would promote “a world-leading safety and health regulatory framework that: promotes safety and health as the No.1 priority and avoids the industrialisation of safety.”

“[It] has clear governance, transparency and accountability; and is firmly grounded on a risk-based approach,” it said.

“The QRC Safety and Health Strategy aims to encourage an efficient, reliable and appropriately resourced mines inspectorate, independent and properly resourced board of examiners and advisory committees as well as effective and collaborative government and stakeholder policy resolutions that avert additional and unnecessary regulatory imposts.

“In this respect, the QRC will be advocating with the government in line with the QRC election policy agenda and commitments of the Newman government.”

The QRC would not be pushing for any changes to an industry levy that funds Queensland’s mine safety programs.

Last Friday, BMA and the unions released a joint statement about the enterprise agreement negotiations.

“BMA and the Single Bargaining Unit unions confirm that the mediation processes on BMA’s Bowen Basin Enterprise Agreement, chaired and overseen respectively by Mr Bill Kelty and his honour Justice Boulton, have been concluded,” it said.

“The outcomes of the completed mediation processes will be reported to rank and file delegates followed by mass meetings as soon as practicable.

“The parties are aiming to conclude these meetings by the end of September.

“BMA and the unions have agreed that they will not be making any public comment until an employee vote on the agreement has been concluded.”