28 September reporting date

The reporting date for the Royal Commission on the Pike River Coal Mine Tragedy has been revised to 28 September 2012.

It is important that the Commission does a thorough investigative job and produces robust recommendations that are appropriate, realistic and achievable. Accordingly the Commission sought and has now received an extension to 28 September to complete its inquiries and report to the Governor General.

The changed reporting date reflects the need to gather more information to meet the Commission’s terms of reference.

The Commission’s timelines and management of evidence and hearings were complicated by the parallel inquiries being conducted by the Police and the Department of Labour.

The Commission has made good progress and has held nine weeks of hearings so far. We are currently examining the health and safety and mining systems at Pike River Coal Ltd and the cause of the explosion.  Further hearings are being held from 8 to17 February.