The Queensland Resources Council (QRC) has warned the state government that its proposed industrial manslaughter laws could have a negative outcome and decrease the safety culture in the mining industry.
The Queensland government in February introduced legislation to Parliament that could see mining executive face up to 20 years in jail if Queensland mine and quarry workers die as a result of criminal negligence.
Under the proposed laws, senior officers of a mine or quarry company can be tried for industrial manslaughter if criminal negligence is proven for a worker’s death, with maximum penalties ranging up to A$13-million and 20 years’ jail.