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

Summary

Coal mining workers would get better protection for their long service leave entitlements under changes to how the long service leave system works in the coal industry. The amendment modifies existing long service leave legislation to strengthen rules around what happens to a worker's accrued leave when they change jobs or when coal mining operations close or restructure. This matters because coal industry workers often face job instability due to pit closures and restructuring, and the current system can leave them at risk of losing leave benefits they've built up over years of work.

What happens at this stage

The main debate on whether the chamber supports the broad purpose of the bill. Members speak to its overall merits and concerns rather than the fine print. The government outlines its policy intentions; the opposition and crossbench put their case. This is the stage that determines whether the bill proceeds at all.

Next: Consideration in Detail (House) or Committee of the Whole (Senate), where the bill is examined clause by clause