Coal Mining Industry (Long Service Leave) Legislation Amendment Bill 2025; Consideration in Detail

Opened the debate

Rishworth moved the amendments to address three areas of concern raised by stakeholders during the parliamentary inquiry. The first set of changes allowed the coal long service leave corporation to extend opt-in periods for individual employers facing genuine difficulties, such as ongoing litigation. The second set permitted employers to use reasonable assumptions when historical employment records were incomplete or unreliable, subject to audit and board oversight. The third set ensured fairness by allowing offsets for long service leave payments already made under state laws or industrial instruments, preventing double payment. Rishworth argued these measures would encourage employer participation and help resolve legacy liabilities efficiently.

Government response

Rishworth explained that the amendments responded directly to feedback from the Senate Education and Employment Legislation Committee inquiry. Rishworth stated the changes maintained the bill's policy intent while removing unnecessary barriers for employers dealing with liabilities spanning more than a decade. Rishworth emphasised that the amendments included safeguards, such as audit reports and board consideration, to ensure accuracy. Rishworth concluded that the changes would help connect workers with their entitlements quickly and fairly.