Queensland appoints Wayne Pennell as state's first mining and resources coronerBy Bryn Wakefield and Liam O'ConnellABC Tropical NorthTopic:Mining and Metals Industry56m ago56 minutes agoThu 8 May 2025 at 7:36amAttorney-General Deb Frecklington says families have asked that inquests be more transparent.
(ABC Tropical North: Jenae Madden)In short:A state mining coroner has been appointed for the first time in Queensland after calls from families for more timely and transparent investigations.The Mackay-based coroner will seek to address a backlog of mining-related inquests.What's next?A review of Queensland's mining safety regulator is due to begin later this year as part of a push to improve safety.abc.net.au/news/queensland-appoints-mining-and-resources-coroner/105269828Link copiedShareShare articleQueensland has appointed a mining coroner to investigate deaths in the resources industry and deal with a backlog of inquests.Seven people have lost their lives at Queensland mine sites since 2022.The last inquest into a mining death in the state was held in 2020 after the 2017 death of Daniel Springer at Goonyella Riverside Mine.Resources Minister Dale Last said some families had been waiting for five years for answers about a loved one's death and that Mining and Resources Coroner Wayne Pennell would immediately oversee outstanding inquests."Having some of these cases sitting waiting for outcomes for years is just not good enough," Mr Last said."This is going to be a coroner who's going to be specifically looking at these types of deaths."Natural Resources and Mines Minister Dale Last says the coroner will look to clear the backlog of inquests as soon as possible. (ABC Tropical North: Jenae Madden)He said recommendations from a coroner would help to effect change and improve safety in the industry.It is the first time a mining coroner has been appointed in Queensland and the role will have the same authority as a state coroner.Mr Pennell will be based in the North Queensland city of Mackay, which is part of a wider region that employs nearly 75,000 mine workers.Attorney-General Deb Frecklington said feedback from victims' families influenced the decision to make the appointment."[They] are saying to us that they would like to see more information and easier access to justice around these deaths," she said."With the outcome of the inquests maybe we can make things better at a mine site … to ensure that no further deaths would ever happen."Seven people have died on mine sites across Queensland since 2022. (ABC Tropical North: Melissa Maddison)Regulator under reviewA state government review into industry regulator Resources Safety and Health Queensland (RSHQ) is set to commence in June and will consider a restructure to improve efficiency and the sector's safety outcomes.Mr Last said the government would also consider making the results of RSHQ investigations into mining deaths public."There's sensitivities they need to take into consideration, [including] the wishes of the family," he said."But that's something that we've already discussed, in terms of that transparency — you know, the communities would like answers, families would like answers.""We don't want to be hiding anything here."The learnings that we take from these fatalities, from these inquests, are so very important."We want to see them applied across the industry."The Mining and Energy Union says victims' families feel there can be a lack of accountability after a death. (ABC Tropical North: Melissa Maddison)The Mining and Energy Union said it welcomed moves to improve transparency for victims' families.But general vice-president Steve Smyth said there were other steps the government could take to prevent deaths and injuries."The current mining legislation allows for a board of inquiry," he said."We think [that legislation] can deliver even more — it will do stuff in advance of a fatality or a serious accident happening and take a broader look at what's happening across the sector."Mr Smyth said there was also frustration about delayed or aborted prosecutions of mining managers and companies."What you do hear from victim's families is, 'Why is no-one ever being held to account?'" he said.Posted 56m ago56 minutes agoThu 8 May 2025 at 7:36am, updated 54m ago54 minutes agoThu 8 May 2025 at 7:38amShare optionsCopy linkFacebookX (formerly Twitter)Top StoriesSecond minister booted from cabinet as PM prepares reshuffleLIVEPhoto shows Ed Husic wearing a blue suit sitting in an office.More women in Labor than ever but top jobs still going to menBAnalysis by Brett WorthingtonPhoto shows Anika Wells Amanda Rishworth Katie Gallagher Anne AlyGreens leader Adam Bandt concedes seat, ending 15 years in parliamentTopic:ElectionsPhoto shows Adam Bandt press gallery doorstopHow one mother's grief and love captured hearts across AustraliaCAnalysis by Cason HoPhoto shows A woman sits in front of a microphone on a dimly lit stage with an emotional expression.'Wish we did better': The timeline of confusion during Westfield Bondi Junction attackTopic:CrimePhoto shows Paramedics stand with stretches near vehicles on a road.Related storiesCoroner rules against inquest for central Queensland miner deathTopic:Mining Accidents and IncidentsPhoto shows A man sits beside a headstone in a cemetery.Union demands answers following fourth Queensland coal mine death this yearTopic:Mining Accidents and IncidentsPhoto shows Mine conveyor belt sprays coal in the air into a pile dug from a mine at Oaky Creek near Middlemount in central QldBowen Basin coal mine operations on hold after second fatality in three weeksTopic:Mining Accidents and IncidentsPhoto shows Dump trucks are moving coal from an open coal mine pitRelated topicsMackayMining Accidents and IncidentsMining and Metals IndustryMoranbahState and Territory GovernmentTop StoriesSecond minister booted from cabinet as PM prepares reshuffleTopic:Government and PoliticsPhoto shows Ed Husic wearing a blue suit sitting in an office.More women in Labor than ever but top jobs still going to menBAnalysis by Brett WorthingtonGreens leader Adam Bandt concedes seat, ending 15 years in parliamentTopic:ElectionsHow one mother's grief and love captured hearts across AustraliaCAnalysis by Cason Ho'Wish we did better': The timeline of confusion during Westfield Bondi Junction attackTopic:CrimeJust InCabinet ministers Mark Dreyfus, Ed Husic scrapped from new Albanese ministryTopic:Political Leadership21m ago21 minutes agoThu 8 May 2025 at 8:11amWoman doused friend in fuel, set him alight over misogynistic commentTopic:Courts26m ago26 minutes agoThu 8 May 2025 at 8:06am'Feels like a tipping point': India and Pakistan diaspora grapple with Kashmir conflictTopic:Unrest, Conflict and War48m ago48 minutes agoThu 8 May 2025 at 7:44amQueensland appoints first mining coroner amid inquest backlogTopic:Mining and Metals Industry54m ago54 minutes agoThu 8 May 2025 at 7:38amMore Just InBack to top