Dr LIM - 2000-02-24
The member for Nhulunbuy has announced publicly that he intends to introduce a private member’s bill to amend the Mine Management Act. He says his purpose in doing this is to bring the work safety provisions of the Mine Management Act into line with the Work Health Act.
Mr Stirling: I announced it publicly and I wrote to the minister about it and told him.
Dr LIM: He also alleges that mine workers are denied the same protection as other Territory workers. I ask the minister are these claims correct and would the government support such a bill?
ANSWER
Mr Speaker, I am quite astounded by the member for Nhulunbuy’s apparent intention to proceed with the proposed amendment to the Mine Management Bill. As he said, he wrote to me before Christmas on this particular subject and he sought my views on his proposed private member’s bill. I advised him that the Mine Management Act had been reviewed by the government and after a period of public consultation there would be a new Mine Management Act for the Northern Territory. The review completed by my Department of Mines and Energy has identified that the revised act should be consistent with the Work Health Act. I also advised the honourable member that before we proceeded with the new legislation, a discussion paper would be released for public comment.
Both the Mine Management Act and the Work Health Act contained provisions relating to the duty of care of employers and employees. Although worded differently, the provisions are similar in nature and do not affect the safety of mine workers. To prove my point, you’ve only got to look at the safety statistics for the mining industry in the Northern Territory. The lost time injury frequency rate has fallen from 22.4 in 1992-93 to 6.6 in 1998-99. That’s an extremely good safety record and the industry, I believe, must be congratulated on its safety performance.
I should also point out that the Australian and New Zealand Minerals and Energy Council is currently developing, in conjunction with the industry and other stakeholders, a strategic framework for governments to improve safety management and prevent fatalities on mine sites. It’s important the Northern Territory legislation takes into account national strategies in the area.
There have been changes in the way mines are managed, and this is particularly so in the areas of occupational health and safety and environmental management. I would have thought that rather than wasting public funds and the parliamentary draftsman’s time on pointless amendments to the existing act, the member for Nhulunbuy would support the government’s overhaul of the legislation and offer some constructive comments during the public review process.
I am pleased to announce that the public discussion paper on this issue is now available. Copies of the paper will be sent to industry associations, the Northern Territory Trades and Labour Council, the Environment Council and also individual mining companies. Interested persons can obtain copies from the Mines and Energy Department offices in Darwin and Alice Springs and in Tennant Creek, and requests for copies can also be obtained by phone or by fax or by accessing the department’s Internet site. Ads advising of this will certainly be placed in Darwin and regional newspapers.
But in the case of any of these avenues being too difficult for the member for Nhulunbuy, I will table a copy of the discussion paper for his benefit, because obviously he is not concerned about being involved in the process. He just wants to waste the parliamentary draftsman’s time and put in place some sort of process for his union mates. I look forward to receiving the honourable member’s input into this process, but he should note that the closing date for comment is 28 April. For the record, the government will not support the member for Nhulunbuy’s proposed bill.
Mr Stirling: I announced it publicly and I wrote to the minister about it and told him.
Dr LIM: He also alleges that mine workers are denied the same protection as other Territory workers. I ask the minister are these claims correct and would the government support such a bill?
ANSWER
Mr Speaker, I am quite astounded by the member for Nhulunbuy’s apparent intention to proceed with the proposed amendment to the Mine Management Bill. As he said, he wrote to me before Christmas on this particular subject and he sought my views on his proposed private member’s bill. I advised him that the Mine Management Act had been reviewed by the government and after a period of public consultation there would be a new Mine Management Act for the Northern Territory. The review completed by my Department of Mines and Energy has identified that the revised act should be consistent with the Work Health Act. I also advised the honourable member that before we proceeded with the new legislation, a discussion paper would be released for public comment.
Both the Mine Management Act and the Work Health Act contained provisions relating to the duty of care of employers and employees. Although worded differently, the provisions are similar in nature and do not affect the safety of mine workers. To prove my point, you’ve only got to look at the safety statistics for the mining industry in the Northern Territory. The lost time injury frequency rate has fallen from 22.4 in 1992-93 to 6.6 in 1998-99. That’s an extremely good safety record and the industry, I believe, must be congratulated on its safety performance.
I should also point out that the Australian and New Zealand Minerals and Energy Council is currently developing, in conjunction with the industry and other stakeholders, a strategic framework for governments to improve safety management and prevent fatalities on mine sites. It’s important the Northern Territory legislation takes into account national strategies in the area.
There have been changes in the way mines are managed, and this is particularly so in the areas of occupational health and safety and environmental management. I would have thought that rather than wasting public funds and the parliamentary draftsman’s time on pointless amendments to the existing act, the member for Nhulunbuy would support the government’s overhaul of the legislation and offer some constructive comments during the public review process.
I am pleased to announce that the public discussion paper on this issue is now available. Copies of the paper will be sent to industry associations, the Northern Territory Trades and Labour Council, the Environment Council and also individual mining companies. Interested persons can obtain copies from the Mines and Energy Department offices in Darwin and Alice Springs and in Tennant Creek, and requests for copies can also be obtained by phone or by fax or by accessing the department’s Internet site. Ads advising of this will certainly be placed in Darwin and regional newspapers.
But in the case of any of these avenues being too difficult for the member for Nhulunbuy, I will table a copy of the discussion paper for his benefit, because obviously he is not concerned about being involved in the process. He just wants to waste the parliamentary draftsman’s time and put in place some sort of process for his union mates. I look forward to receiving the honourable member’s input into this process, but he should note that the closing date for comment is 28 April. For the record, the government will not support the member for Nhulunbuy’s proposed bill.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016