- The Crisafulli Government is backing the resources sector with an independent, skills-based Board appointed to oversee Resources Safety and Health Queensland.
- New Board delivers on 2025 independent review recommendations to strengthen governance, accountability and safety outcomes for resource workers.
- The Crisafulli Government is delivering a better lifestyle through a stronger economy after a decade of decline under Labor.
The Crisafulli Government is strengthening Queensland’s resources safety framework with a new independent Governing Board appointed to oversee Resources Safety and Health Queensland (RSHQ).
The establishment of the Board delivers on a key recommendation from the independent review into Queensland’s resources safety framework led by University of Queensland Professor Susan Johnston.
The new Board will strengthen oversight, streamline advisory structures to provide clearer lines of responsibility and deliver stronger accountability.
Former Rio Tinto Australia CEO Kellie Parker will Chair the Board, Dan Hunt has been appointed as Deputy Chair, and John Ninness, Stephanie Pearce and Sonia Lewis appointed as Directors.
The Crisafulli Government is delivering a better lifestyle through a stronger economy after a decade of decline under Labor.
In line with Professor Johnston’s recommendations, the appointments bring together resource industry leaders with proven experience in governance and regulation, risk management, health and safety regulation, investigations and enforcement, organisational operations, and occupational health.
The Crisafulli Government acted swiftly following Professor Johnston’s independent review, passing the Resources Safety and Health Queensland and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2026 in May 2026.
Minister for Natural Resources and Mines Dale Last said the appointments ensured strong leadership was in place to deliver a safer and more accountable system.
“The findings from Professor Johnston’s report were sobering, and we have acted quickly and decisively to implement the recommendations,” Minister Last said.
“Queensland’s 82,000 resource workers deserve to return home safely, and that starts with a system that is strong, independent and accountable.
“These appointments deliver the leadership and oversight needed to strengthen Queensland’s resources safety framework and to restore trust and stability to the regulator, which has been missing.
“While the former Labor government allowed issues with the regulator to escalate, we are getting on with fixing the problems they left behind.
“Queenslanders backed a government that was focused on delivery, accountability and reform and we’re getting on with the job.”
The new RSHQ Board commences today, 1 July 2026.
