Reflections of a contemporary gas regulator in Queensland
William DatePetroleum and Gas Inspectorate, Level 19, 275 George Street, Brisbane, Qld 4001, Australia. Email: bill.date@dnrme.qld.gov.au
The APPEA Journal 59(2) 560-564 https://doi.org/10.1071/AJ18087
Accepted: 4 April 2019 Published: 17 June 2019
Abstract
Contemporary regulation needs a modern approach and the right attitude by inspectors. Gone are the days when an inspector can walk onto a petroleum lease and berate a site safety manager. Instead the regulator needs to be firm, fair and friendly. The Department of Natural Resources, Mines and Energy (DNRME) Petroleum and Gas Inspectorate (PGI) is delivering contemporary regulation using the following three key approaches: the five lines of operation, appreciative enquiry and engagement. The five fundamental elements of a contemporary effective risk-based safety regulator of the petroleum and gas industry in Queensland are as follows:
(1) Proactive engagement – build safety capability across industry and actively contribute to sharing harm-reduction practices and safety information
(2) Modern legislation – be less prescriptive on how to work
(3) Risk-based approach – focus regulatory effort to areas of greatest risk
(4) Look for success – recognise and share examples of safety improvements with positive workplace outcomes; do not just focus on non-compliance
(5) Professional expertise – demonstrate staff expertise and encourage ongoing professional development
Petroleum and gas (P&G) inspectors are learning about the appreciative enquiry technique through Griffith University. This learning is equipping inspectors with new techniques to undertake their core task of inspections and audits, focusing on what is working well and not just non-conformance. This approach ensures that industry and the regulator can both learn from, and improve, safety outcomes. In 2017, the Inspectorate created the P&G Stakeholder Engagement Committee (SEC). The SEC collaborates and communicates with senior leaders in the gas industry. The committee is used to bring focus on current compliance and regulatory priorities (as well as looking for safety improvements), yet it creates openness, trust and mutual respect between industry and the regulator.
Keywords: compliance, Department of Natural Resources, Mines and Energy, DNRME, enforcement, engagement, petroleum and gas, regulation, site safety.
William (Bill) Date has served as Chief Inspector of the Queensland Government’s Petroleum and Gas Inspectorate since July 2016. He has worked with the Coal Seam Gas (CSG) industry in different roles, including Executive Director CSG Compliance Unit and Director CSG Engagement (Surat Basin) based in Dalby during the early days of Queensland’s CSG–LNG export industry. Bill served in the Australian Army for 36 years in both regular and reserve service, where he reached the rank of Brigadier. His Army postings for the first 21 years were in Combat Engineer Regiments. As a Reservist, Brigadier Date has held senior leadership roles in Strategic and Operational Headquarters in Australia and overseas. He served on three overseas operations in Bougainville, Iraq and Afghanistan, where he was recently recognised in the 2019 Australia Day Honours with a Commendation for Distinguished Service. Bill holds a Masters of Business Administration, Bachelor of Professional Studies, and a Graduate Diploma of Management Studies. He also holds a Diploma of Resource and Personnel Management; Graduate of Army Command and Staff College, Fort Queenscliff, Victoria; and Graduate of Royal Military College of Science in United Kingdom. |
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