Coal Mining Industry (Long Service Leave) Legislation Amendment Bill 2026

Senator GREEN (Queensland—Assistant Minister for Tourism, Assistant Minister for Pacific Island Affairs and Assistant Minister for Northern Australia) (12:22): I thank the Senate for the indication of support for the Coal Mining Industry (Long Service Leave) Legislation Amendment Bill 2026. I'll just make a very brief comment. The bill is about delivering fairness and certainty for workers in the black-coal mining industry and supporting employers.

The bill creates a practical, time-limited pathway for employers to resolve unpaid levies so that workers can access their lawful entitlements without delay. The bill also introduces an effective penalty for late levy payments that promotes employers' timely compliance with their obligation and contributes to the Coal Long Service Leave Scheme's long-term sustainability.

I want to extend the government's thanks to the Senate Education and Employment Legislation Committee for their report on the bill and the recommendation that the bill be passed. I also thank those who engaged constructively with the committee's inquiry and provided submissions. The government has listened carefully and made amendments to respond directly to matters raised in those submissions.

I'll just speak briefly to Senator Roberts's second reading amendment. For clarity, the government has requested the Fair Work Ombudsman investigate allegations regarding coal mining worker underpayments. I understand that the Fair Work Ombudsman investigation is ongoing.

It is currently underway and has been underway for a while, and we look forward to those investigations concluding. The government is very proud of the support that we've given to coal mining workers, not only through previous iterations of this legislation but by making wage theft a crime and delivering same job, same pay. I commend the bill to the Senate.

Question negatived. Original question agreed to. Bill read a second time.